tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780920651237433249.post8102679365330484452..comments2023-10-09T09:43:56.955+01:00Comments on On the Grapevine blog: Is it just me?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780920651237433249.post-82146895182470150842012-03-29T22:33:57.781+01:002012-03-29T22:33:57.781+01:00Hi Gabriel,
By and large, the issue is that newsp...Hi Gabriel,<br /><br />By and large, the issue is that newspaper editors refuse, more or less point blank, to allow anything other than a shopping list article with wines below a standard price, typically £5.99 or 9.95. Consequently, starving wine writers find that, in order to feed themselves, they have to write about wines which they might otherwise ignore.<br />JW is an exception as the IT looks to a more informed (or willing to be informed) readership.<br />Look at the rapid demise of wine columns in the mainstream UK press; the best option for critical writing is either in the provincial press or online.<br /><br />DermotDermotMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17542223683683573535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780920651237433249.post-71381245817119080982012-03-26T16:25:01.561+01:002012-03-26T16:25:01.561+01:00they do, but there are some consumers looking for ...they do, but there are some consumers looking for "best wines" and willing to shop around, then there are others who help you buy the best wines at the places you shop anyway. If you are shopping at Lidl, do you really need wine recommendations for "value (but more expensive in cash terms) wines in Independent Merchants or even other supermarkets?<br /><br />There is still a need for those who can steer us gently within our existing shopping patterns, not try and change them completely.<br /><br />In fact, I'd argue there aren't enough of them, and in fact this is where "local experts" could actually publish negative reviews as well to help consumers avoid the worst alternatives as well.Robert McIntoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384607673163426191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780920651237433249.post-30271358733046779852012-03-26T15:50:28.241+01:002012-03-26T15:50:28.241+01:00Hi Robert, thanks I certainly agree about my own f...Hi Robert, thanks I certainly agree about my own failings as a wine content creator (you seem to be doing a better job). My frustration is that the article was effectively promoting wines that the writer himself admits are pretty average. There are so many interesting wines at all price levels out there - surely these are the wines that deserve support...?Gabriel Cooneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05899930885338681838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780920651237433249.post-4478794438396927452012-03-26T15:35:01.704+01:002012-03-26T15:35:01.704+01:00It isn't just you, you are absolutely right ab...It isn't just you, you are absolutely right about it ... to a point. To bother spending time reading something it has to have value to us, but what it is still missing is that there are different ways it can have value.<br /><br />In your model, the Ferrari is always aspirational, but you do still go out (at infrequent intervals) to buy a car. What you have read about Ferraris will not help you, so you will probably have to read other articles before deciding to buy, let's say, a Ford.<br /><br />We read about a lot of things because we are EITHER looking for entertainment (Ferrari) or buying advice (Ford). The Lidl articles in your example are not about entertaining you, but to help you buy better Pinot Grigio, if you fancy that sort of stuff.<br /><br />Our problem is that we have failed to market ourselves as wine content creators effectively as either one or the other. Do you agree?Robert McIntosh (@thirstforwine)http://thirstforwine.co.uknoreply@blogger.com