The conversation about wine bloggers and wine writers is getting rather frustrating to me but I have not yet jumped into the fray…until now.
Do I consider myself a wine blogger? The answer is yes based on societies definition, we have a blog and most of those posts are about wine. Do I consider myself a wine writer? I personally do not, but based on the fact that I have written words on paper and the subject was wine…well, anyways, who gives a damn.
The topic of whether wine bloggers are important or significant is for no one to decide other than the readers/ viewers; as well, it is not up to wine writers to decide who is a wine writer, the consumer will. I almost wonder if the wine writers that question the abilities of others to write about wine are simply at that stage of “burn out” and have nothing else to write about.
Let’s look at an analogy, there are different types of chefs based on the kinds of food they prepare, yet they are all chefs correct? How about another analogy? If this winemaker makes nothing but Sauvignon Blanc and oaky ass Chardonnay, isn’t he still a winemaker even though he isn’t making the beautiful, artistic, sensual, animalistic red wines? Hell yes he is!
I have complained about this problem of over analyzing and attempting to stick everything in a category time and time again. Just because we don’t do our wine blog the way you do, doesn’t mean crap, other than we do it the way we do it…staying authentic to ourselves is all we can do. If people love it, fantastic, and if they don’t they will read your seventeen paragraph boring synopsis on the wine you just drank.
How about another analogy? Napa, CA. wines are better than Paso Robles, CA. wines…I say crap to that too. There is nothing about “better”, it’s about being different. All these areas, just like all these wine “writers” and “bloggers”, offer something different that is OBVIOUSLY pleasing someone.
I guess my point would be this, if you want to get into wine blogging or writing in the attempt to get free stuff you are a complete nimrod! If you’re a “real wine writer” or “super blogger” than keep your eyes on your own paper and do what you do, don’t worry about us uneducated peons over here, geez!
And by the way, our wine blog is at http://www.HootnAnnieBlog.com
A quick extra thought: what is wrong with people doing what they want, so long as they are not causing harm, and doing it from their perspective? That is how we end up with change, innovation, evolution, etc. So maybe these holier than thou wine writers and wine bloggers are afraid of change?? Just a thought!
The reason this debate rages is because there is an establishment of professional wine writers who have a job to protect. They want to be the sages of wines and be sure that nobody gets wine info anywhere else. Good thing the Internet is changing that for us!
Wine information from sources that don’t do research and don’t write in any context that people with even minor wine knowledge can relate to won’t get a lot of attention over the long term. Worries about hacks and hangers on shouldn’t really be a a big deal. It really is hard these days to know if credentials make a difference and if so, which ones and how you prove someone really has them.
Writers, write what you enjoy writing, and consumers, read what you enjoy reading!
Jason
I guess I am a wine blogger too. I never really thought of it that way, but yes, there is a blog on my web site…..but I am not holier than thou for sure. Keep doing what you love! Don’t worry about what a minority might say, keep to who you are and your passion!
Right on Jason, I agree. As for credentials, I kow many people with no certification but I would trust them implicitly when it comes to wine info…however, for those that follow through and get certifications, I respect and admire that a lot, it’s not easy.
And so we are clear, I posted this piece on my personal blog because our wine blog belongs to my wife and I so I do not want to speak for her. If she concurs we may post this over there too.
I appreciate the comment Jason and I am so damn glad to get this off my chest, lol, pisses me off. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing!! Cheers!!
Hey Shawn, I appreciate the comment, and to be honest…I never say I am a wine blogger unless someone asks what I do online, simplest description. We just do what we enjoy doing. But I keep running across these articles from naysayers and “professional” wine writers and bloggers that doubt those of us that do it for fun, pleasure, hobby, etc.
But you are right, we definitely will continue doing what we enjoy doing…that’s how we roll!!
Hey there, I do concur! I think there are a lot of people out there that do what they ‘think’ they should be doing instead of what they’re truly interested in or passionate about. That may be part of the reason there’s defensiveness or bitterness. I’m all about healthy competition and rivalry, that’s what makes the world go round, but when it comes to “art” there is no right or wrong, right?!? Only my opinion and your opinion…as soon as people realize that, and are comfortable and confident in what they’re doing, they’ll stop peering down their noses at others. (okay, climbing down off soap box now).
Exactly wife of mine (Annie), that’s what we talk about all the time. Maybe we will put a link our the wine blog to this…or whatever!! Love ya, see you in a little while.
Link away! Love you, too!
Bang on, sir, bang on. I share your sentiments. I’ve been staggered, at times, at the degree of condescension one encounters (or observes being meted out to others) in the online wine arena. Often at the hands of those whose words are as beige and stodgy as soggy corrugated cardboard.
One hell of a lot of wine writers are f—ing terrible at writing.
In my simplistic old way, I actually think the writing part is a hundred times more important than the wine part.
Thank you, much appreciated. Love your choices of descriptors in the first paragraph…soggy corrugated cardboard!
I think the writing is important but I have chosen to write the way that I speak…to have fun with it and hopefully entertain people with the videos we do, etc. I am not a Harvard professor, nor am I a sommelier…I come at the wine, and the writing, as me and whatever all that means, you know?
So long as you’re being true to you, that’s all that matters…you shouldn’t be worried or negative about what others are doing!! Cheers man, thanks again!
Hey, thanks for the reply. Yeah — I should’ve been clearer: when I say ‘writing’ I really just mean ‘communicating’. Not necessarily using language like a master of written prose.
(Writing like you speak worked pretty well for ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and suchlike.)
I think the root point is that (as I see it) all the knowledge in the world is worth little if people are too intimidated/bored/alienated to share it.
I think I understood you…but that last sentence is spot on, very well said. None of us can please everyone in anything- writing, speaking, teaching, cooking, etc…write for you and those that appreciate that…that’s what I keep telling my anyways!! lol Cheers!
I know diddly squat about wine but I love @HootnAnnie videos because you and Annie go to some really cool places and you’re doing it together. It’s like a wine tasting travelogue for me. The wine is secondary to me. I have a friend in Columbus that is an expert @janineaquino (if you want to check out her website). I have never seen her be condescending or critical of anyone who shows interest in wine. But then she’s an amazing business person and enjoys people.
In conclusion Matt, as you think but had to much class to say, eff’um.
I will definitely check your friend out Cheri, thanks for passing that along to me. This has been a weird topic in the online , and off, wine community for some time…I just chose to stay out of it until now. I appreciate your thoughts and you are EXACTLY right…eff’um!! LOL
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