Sep 26, 2006
Did anyone notice that there was no post on Fermentation yesterday? (I hope so) I did. In fact, it was the first time in more than two years in which nothing was posted at Fermentation on a week day when I wasn’t on a vacation. One thing I know is that good blog, wine or otherwise centered, is consistent and delivers content on a regular basis. But what does it mean when you lie down at night and feel guilty…
Sep 21, 2006
Vinography is the location of some of the best blog-hosted conversations in wine blogdom. This of course is due to Alder Yarrow’s incisive writing and observation skill. I was reminded of this, and provoked to some deep thinking, when I read Alder’s and his commenters’ thoughts on Wine Spectator Matt Kramer’s August 31 column in that magazine. Alder points out in a post entitled "What is Matt Kramer Smoking", that Kramer, in writing about the problems and difficulties in recommending…
Sep 6, 2006
You get the impression that Alfonso Cevola is a member of that secret band of men who actually would trade it all in for a chance to be a member of Corleone Family. It’s not that he wants to run a crime family, rather he has an attraction to the strong ties the Corleone family creates among its members and its Italian cultural heritage. He, like me, probably understands The Godfather Trilogy, not as a story about crime and murder,…
Aug 29, 2006
Another winery client at Wark Communications is about to take up blogging. This occasion has given me the opportunity to think about what’s important in this pursuit. One of those things is honesty and openness. I believe readers respond best to those who disclose as much as is prudent to their readers. Oddly, this point was driven home yesterday when I was looking over a new website, not a blog, that I think might have potential. But, as I cruised…
Aug 26, 2006
There are more states today than a year ago and two years ago that allow wineries to ship wine direct to consumers. Some provide easy access to consumers without too much effort, while others have installed real barriers to their market. While barriers put in place to essentially protect wholesalers don’t serve either the consumer or the winery, but in the end it’s the winery that has do decide if they want to jump through the hoops. Paul Mabray over…