The blind taster defending subjectivity: I must be doing something right ;)
On a serious note though, it's hardly realistic to expect an independent blogger to only taste blind, because unlike a wine "critic" [shiver], bloggers are REAL PEOPLE who drink wine in REAL SITUATIONS. Hopefully, they talk about what they like, and not what will get them more visibility or $$$.
The Internet has allowed us "common" wine lovers to share our thoughts, and as more people listen to a select few, it is only natural that PR and SEO agencies target them. I guess that what it comes down to is the gut feeling of the blogger. If he/she feels like "selling out", I believe it is time to change format and portray oneself as a proper wine journalist (I think it is clear from this statement that I have very little respect for the wine press and their self-declared "objectivity").
For blogs, pre-written content is punishable by a lifetime of Pinotage (South Africa doesn't sponsor me) and intimate tasting events w/ merchants are dubious. This is pretty common practice in "real" journalism.
In reply to I agree by Alex
PR, SEO, WTF
The blind taster defending subjectivity: I must be doing something right ;)
On a serious note though, it's hardly realistic to expect an independent blogger to only taste blind, because unlike a wine "critic" [shiver], bloggers are REAL PEOPLE who drink wine in REAL SITUATIONS. Hopefully, they talk about what they like, and not what will get them more visibility or $$$.
The Internet has allowed us "common" wine lovers to share our thoughts, and as more people listen to a select few, it is only natural that PR and SEO agencies target them. I guess that what it comes down to is the gut feeling of the blogger. If he/she feels like "selling out", I believe it is time to change format and portray oneself as a proper wine journalist (I think it is clear from this statement that I have very little respect for the wine press and their self-declared "objectivity").
For blogs, pre-written content is punishable by a lifetime of Pinotage (South Africa doesn't sponsor me) and intimate tasting events w/ merchants are dubious. This is pretty common practice in "real" journalism.