| Issue #50, March 23, 2007 |
Over The Barrel...
Learn Wine on the Internet
with Lenn Thompson
We all know that you can buy books, book vacations and even order groceries on line these days. But, in recent years, the online resources one can find to learn about wine have multiplied exponentially.
And while the “big guys” in wine publishing like Wine Spectator, Decanter and Wine Enthusiast all have website (of varying quality), wine blogs are the most exciting frontier in online winedom.
For those of you that don’t know, a blog—short for web log— is a website that is usually run by a single person (or small group) where stories are posted in a journal style and displayed in reverse chronological order. The best combine quality writing, passion for their subject matter and interesting commentary and/or opinion.
Also of the blog movement came things like podcasts (audio) and vlogs (video blogs), which also offer unique looks at topics that range from knitting to baking to cancer to our topic today—wine.
These are just a few of the best blogs, podcasts and vlogs available on wine. There are literally hundreds of them out there—so check out a few and see if any of them appeal to you.
In the video blog category, it’s hard to do it any better than Wine Library TV (tv.winelibrary.com). Tied to online wine retailer WineLibrary.com, host Gary Vaynerchuk blends down-to-earth attitude, infectious energy and a deep understanding of wine in each of his almost-daily episodes. I dare you to watch just once—Wine Library TV is that addicting.
Wine blogs come in as many flavors as there are styles of wine, but for general-purpose wine information—with a healthy dose of passion that borders on obsession—visit Vinography (vinography.com). Founded and run by San Francisco resident Alder Yarrow, Vinography represents wine blogging at its finest. There are detailed wine reviews, event information and blunt, to-the-point commentary that is always refreshing and well thought out.
Recent winner of Best Wine Blog and Best Wine Blog Writing in the 2007 American Wine Blog Awards, Dr. Vino (drvino.blogspot.com) is published by Tyler Colman who actually is a doctor (he has a Ph D) and he definitely knows his wine. With a wide array of content, Dr. Vino is a veritable one-stop-shop if you only have time to read one wine blog. He also teaches wine classes at NYU.
There are also wines that have very specialized content. For instance Tom Wark’s Fermentation blog (fermentation.typepad.com) is maintained by Tom Wark, who owns and runs a PR firm in California wine country. He can always be counted on for up-to-the-minute information on various industry topics, including shipping laws, wine trends, label and branding issues and of course winery promotion and public relations. It’s a blog that is definitely worth a daily read.
Regionally focused wine blogs are among the most interesting and useful. They cover wine regions that either go ignored—or nearly so—by larger media outlets.
Interested in Spanish and Portuguese wines? Check out Catavino (catavino.net)
If you love Italian wines, visit mondosapore (mondosapore.com), published by a teacher in New York City.
Virginia wines are gaining popularity in wine circles these days and Dezel of Virginia Vine Spot (vinespot.blogspot.com) does an outstanding job bringing his local wine country to his readers.
And, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my own blog here, LENNDEVOURS.com, where I focus on the wines of not only Long Island, but the entire state of New York.
There’s even a blog for lovers of boxed wines. The Box Wine Blog (boxwines.org), as its name suggests focuses on affordable wines that are often found in alternative packaging like boxes, cans and the like.
Again, these are just some examples of what the wine blogosphere has to offer. For a near-comprehensive list of wine blogs, visit Wine Blog Watch (wineblogwatch.arrr.net).
And, keep an eye out this summer for a Dan’s Papers wine blog.
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