Irregular Update

                 Sydney Time

           Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008

Welcome to this weeks Irregular Update and whilst it's short, the feature article is longer than usual.

This weeks article  is about "Wine Blogs." The explosion of the internet has changed the way we look at information, both figuratively and literally. Formal publications no longer have a monopoly on specialised topics like wine, and with all the free, easily accessible internet information, they are hurting financially. The battle lines have been drawn; its traditional publications versus the bloggers, and like all wars, there are some that have an each way bet and try and maintain a foot in both camps. The traditionalists have fixed ideas about the shortcomings of blogs, and the bloggers think the traditionalists are too rigid. This will be a two part story. Part One covers the evolution of the blog, the pros and cons of bloggs versus traditional publications, as well as other relevant information. In Part Two, which will be posted next week, blogs that are of interest to Australian wine lovers, as well as those that love Australian wine will be examined, along with where this whole movement is headed. Part One is here.

A new Snippet titled "Hunting Season" has been posted. The release of the 2008 edition of James Halliday’s Companion has provoked a feeding frenzy of deranged and deluded wine hunters all out to bag the big trophy. The animal they are after is the Bremerton 2004 Old Adam Shiraz, which rated 97 points along with the 2002 Grange and Hill of Grace. Find out why this wine is now more eagerly sought after than Grange! (In two weeks time, there will be a full review of the latest Halliday Companion.)

No tasting notes this week. I have had an alcohol free week (it seems like months) due to a throat infection. Hopefully there will be some tasting notes next week.

The News section has been quiet this week. Stories of possible interest include:

• McWilliam's comes to the rescue for Evans & Tate

• Suit blows £105k in London bar

• Pernod warns wine prices set to rise

• Plastic fantastic... Is this the end of the glass wine bottle?

• Screwcaps worst for the environment says closure company

Those stories and more can be found here.

This week quote: ""I can certainly see you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn't know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret." Basil Fawlty

Until until next week....  Cheers!

Ric

If you have received this from a friend and wish to subscribe, please click here and send the email. To unsubscribe click here.