All I want in 2013…. is more anonymous comments
Admittedly that title is a little bit deceptive. I don’t want the anonymous comments to be rude, indeed I’d much prefer if the commenters had names and faces. I’d really love to have the debates in person over a beer or three. But beggars can’t be choosers (or such).
What I’m asking for more of in 2013 is something that blogs/online journals/wine review websites/anything with a comments field really needs more of – the anonymous critical comments. Those (ideally) well written questions that are posed by people who, freed from the need to actually put a face behind their comments, feel like they can have a spray at the publisher of the post/article. Those ‘your (sic) wrong because’ type comments that can be rude, accusatory and plain wrong, yet can also be brutally, deservedly accurate.
The reason for this request is simple really. I need it. Wine writing need it. The whole point of democratising (or whatever you want to call it) wine writing is that we want to remove the boundaries that have existed in traditional media. To encourage a more honest, more critical and more circumspect approach to what constitutes a good/bad wine by forcing us wine writers to justify our opinions and acknowledge our bias. More transparency, more honesty, more often. Less wankers.
Naturally asking for more anonymous comments is like asking to be attacked by bees more often. Grammar Nazi’s and trolls live and breathe by anonymous comments, and I’m anything but the most fastidious editor. But the more I think about it the more I think that anonymous comments are what makes discussions happen.
For an example of the sort of comment I’m talking about, this accusatory little paragraph popped up a few weeks ago:
As you can see by my reply I was a little annoyed by the accusations. The more I think about the comment however, the more I realise I needed to flesh out my relationships and make my scoring more transparent. I needed that kick in the head so I could question my own potential bias and confirm whether I’ve gone too far.
Ultimately we all need a jab to the ribs on occasion, if purely to build up our defences (and fend it off next time). Bring on the jabs I say…
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15 Comments
G'day Andrew, and happy 2013.
Given the title I should give you an anonymous spray but I'm more interested in the 'Cracka points system' being more generous. Is the way they have their scores set up similar across retailers who do their own scoring, as opposed to those who just use Halliday? Does it make a greater difference to the sub-bronze level wines than gold medal? No agenda here, just interested in how it affects scoring.
Point creep is rightly the butt of jokes amongst enthusiasts but perhaps it will spread in time to the general public leading to the a distrust of points (although I doubt it). I have no problem with points being a way for a particular reviewer to benchmark a particular wine against other wines of the variety which that reviewer has tasted. However, some people regard it as an absolute which presents a problem.
BTW I would prefer the 20 point show judging system for obvious reasons but the 100 point system has a certain aesthetic appeal I guess.
Ross
It's all about different scoring scales really. Halliday's points are too generous for mine and I take my cues from a more English scoring system (here: http://ozwinereview.wpcomstaging.com/2008/10/australian-wine-review-scoring.html).
The Cracka scales are modelled on Halliday's so my scores get readjusted. Much prefer the 20 point scale at that, particularly as I don't have to change for wine show scoring. I'm a reluctant 100 point scorer and rather like the topless squaw scoring system better: http://vinofreakism.com/2011/08/11/2009-christophe-et-fils-chablis-vielles-vignes/).
Topless squaws….now what were we talking about?….I'm easily distracted
Andrew, your a clown and dont know anything about wine. Your English gramar is also very bad. My mum writes better wine comentry than you. How can you say you proclaim to know anything about wine when I saw you review Oyster Bay Sovignon Blanc 2011 with 94 points on Cracka wines?
I hear your Mum is a great wine writer 🙂
Hi Andrew,
I think you are spot on. Everyone has an opinion be it positive or other. Shame is, the internet can be a faceless forum for cheap shots – case in point the comment above. If punters want to have a crack, at least man up and name yourself.
As for commenting on posts constructively, something I believe in is, "The more you share the more you learn." Comments do challenge the writer and reader and only improve the knowledge of the two.
Cheers,
Steve
I've stopped reading your blog but still read it so I can post abusive comments . . . get it?!
As you say AG, criticism and being challenged is a healthy thing, not only wine writing but any endeavour in life. There's just no need to be rude, and remaining anonymous is cowardly.
Love that line 'I'm commenting here having read this article even though I don't read anymore :).
I don't mind anonymous if its constructive and fair. Otherwise no thanks.
fair enough, constructive criticism from named individuals is fine, anonymous swipes should be confined to the dustbin.
For mine, I think Cracka could be pushing the point boundaries a little; halliday is pretty fair to me, jeremy oliver is harsh, AG, your points seem pretty tough on occasion, but nonetheless I enjoy your reviews.
Attaching points and medals to anything is always going to be subjective and is missing the point of drinkability – I believe a good drinking 89point wine is often more enjoyable then a 95point whopper.
Anonymously, I'd like to say…
When negative, I liken anonymous comments to shouting at someone from afar when too afraid to go up to them and say what you want to say to their face or slagging a person off when in the company of other people only to temper or totally change what you have to say when you're in front of them.
I would take comfort Andrew in the above and the fact that you are providing a service. Most people venting anonymously in a negative fashion are usually showing more insight to their own personality or situation than the person they're venting at and, I'd suggest, quite often just taking the opportunity to vent because they're having a crap day or just generally miserable beings!
I don't agree with all of your reviews, but what I can say is that I read your blog because, more often than not you're conservative particularly when it comes to reds and when others may be hyping them up. I've met you and would generally consider you to be a thoughtful, measured dude.
Maybe one day I'll give my anonymity on your blog a name! 😉
Andrew I like your reveiws and find them informative. There are so many labels these days vying for the consumers attention and I find that your reveiws cut through some of the crap that i dont have time to deal with.
As a writer on an internet blog site you surely must crave coments from people be it adulation or scorn at least you know that we anonymous and those not so anonymous are reading your articles. I cant speak for anyone other than my self but your opinion has a deciding factor on where my hard earned cash is spent as far as wine and ocasionally beer is concerned.
I like the fact that you want your reader to comment and that you take into account their opinions even if they differ from yours.
Keep up the good work mate.
Damian, from Wollongong
Cheers Damian, glad to hear you're reading!
Andrew, I haven't even touched the surface and I feel like i want to keep reading (as I sit here with a bottle of Margaret River Smokin Gun, wondering if it should taste the way it does) Why didn't you start this 40 years ago so that I could be well educated by now. p.s. I do think it was very kind of you not to point out to anonymous that 'comentry' is actually a city in England
"Andrew, your a clown and dont know anything about wine. Your English gramar is also very bad." I wonder if Anonymous realises just how hilarious this is!
I know! Hilarious all the same!