Friday, July 22 2011
Wine Bloggers Conference Day One
Nuances of oak, leather and . . . wait, that`s my aftershave
I`m very glad I got a good night`s sleep: it`s been a whirlwind morning so far. I got checked in, grabbed a glass and hit the trade-show floor, where I immediately met dozens of bloggers I know--great to see them all again!
Da Vinci wines was very generous with the Breakfast Brunello--great Pinot Grigio too!
You could really see that a lot of folks weren't just soaking up free wine, but were thinking critically about what was being poured.
Say whaaaaat? At least she seems to like the wine.
A word of explanation about my sartorial choices: I`m wearing my kilt down here in Virginia. It`s over 35C (100F) and the humidity is off the charts. Without a strategy to keep cool, I wouldn't actually melt: I`d probably render, leaving a greasy stain on the hotel carpet. I've mentioned in previous blogs that I only wear pants when I`m working, the rest of the time it`s a kilt. I`m just far enough off the reservation today that I`m comfortable sans bifurcation, but it does generate a certain amount of comment and notice--the reason why I don`t normally wear it to business events: it`s distracting. So so I've got a few picture requests from folks who mostly seem to approve.
Patti is a very gracious lady, generous with her wine
Ahem.
After the trade-show circuit I got my computer and my accessories and got a seat early for the keynote address. It was done by a hero of mine, the fabulous Jancis Robinson, editor of the Oxford Companion to Wine. I may not have mentioned today that I am a contributor to the Oxford--did I mention that I`m a contributor, with my name in it and everything?
Winsome, winesome and always entertaining and relevant
She made a lot of really good points about relevancy, message and had some sharp commentary about the level of originality and the depth of investigative journalism in wine blogs. I don`t know if I agree with the idea that it`s the job of bloggers to be muckrakers or digital Upton Sinclairs--I think it would only be possible to do that if one were independently wealthy, because the minute a blogger started goring established oxen they`d lose any access they ever had, and would have to fend off irritated wine marketers forever more.
Jancis wrapped up to some great questions and well-deserved applause--lovely to hear her speak in person.
Now I`m in the seminar on marketing to millennial consumers. Time to learn!
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