1 Wine Dude

Learning About Wine Writing the Easy Way (2011 Professional Wine Writers Symposium in Napa)

Posted on by 1WineDude

I’m kind of like a bad debt that you cannot pay.  I just keep coming back…

And in February, the crime scene to which I’ll be returning is the lovely Meadowood in Napa Valley, where I’ll be a panelist at the 2011 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers. Some of you out there in blog-o-land might recall that I was lucky enough to receive a fellowship to the same event in 2010 and even luckier to take part as a panelist during the time I was there.

I remain, as ever, totally amazed at the gullibility generosity of those within the world of wine that they continue to ask me to take part in such wonderful events as the Symposium, and it’s my intention here to convince any of you who are budding wine writers to go to this shin-dig. Yes, it will cost you a few hundred bucks, but there exists no better event on offer with such concentrated wine and writing talent (excluding your truly, of course!) in the United States. It’s like wine writing crack, only more intense and very likely healthier for you, assuming you’re not actually taking crack while attending the Symposium.  And while it may not actually be easy, all things considered it’s a hell of a lot easier than trying to garner such collective wine-writing wisdom and experience by your lonesome self!

The WWS is also the place where you’ll get a chance to rub elbows with the likes of Antonia Allegra, Gerald Asher, Lettie Teague, Jack Hart and Dominique Browning – there’s some serious writing clout in the speakers list for this thing.  I’m honored and excited to be sharing the panelists’ table with Lettie and Doug Cook, but for the most part I’m gonna be in the bleacher seats soaking in all of the good stuff, just like everybody else. And taking a copious amount of notes.

So… if you’re based in the U.S. and are at all interested in seriously applying the craft of writing to the world of wine, then I sincerely hope to meet you there!

Cheers!

12 thoughts on “Learning About Wine Writing the Easy Way (2011 Professional Wine Writers Symposium in Napa)”

  2. I can't make it but would have loved to be there. Will you be posting any material online after the event for those that can't make it (cheeky I know as its a paid event but worth asking!)

  3. So I applied for a fellowship to the NV Symposium. Really. I know. That's crazy. Not a chance I'll get accepted, no room for my kind of stuff, but I thought it'd be a hoot. And Alfonso and Asimov told me last year I should have been included.

    And, Joe, even if I'm not there, howzabout another dinner?

    1. Ron – well, you're writing talent is legit in my opinion so I see no reason why you shouldn't be in the running. Some of the finest writers on any topic have used satire as their vehicle – I'd count you in that group for wine, it just seems odd at first because the industry can be so f–king stuffy about itself!

      How about dinner even if you *are* there? :)

      Happy New Year!

      p.s. – I hope this comment and your subsequent appearance at the WWS herald the un-un-un-retirement of HMW…

      1. Joe–Oh, if you say my talent is legit…

        The wine biz is incredibly uptight about satire aimed at it, as are bloggers, and just about anybody else. That's where the joy of writing it lies. I don't see Jim Gordon and his unbelievably stuffy lineup of faculty (but for the brilliant Gerald Asher–a personal hero of mine) inviting me into the mix, talent or no talent, but I thought I'd give them the chance. And I thought it would be fun.

        As for the return of the HoseMaster, well, never say never, but I truly doubt it. Though, then again, he does tend to steamroll me now and then, and the endless twaddle on wine blogs is might tempting for him. Perhaps the NV Symposium will provide the impetus for yet another return from the dead.

        And I'm up for dinner whenever your schedule allows. You know where to find me.

        Happy New Year, 1WineDoody! May you have a successful and prosperous 2011!

        1. Cheers, Ron – same to you, and I hope that we will be toasting the return of HMW in 201…

          I will contact you about catching up while I'm in town.

          Yours truly,
          -1WineDoody

  4. I looked at the schedule of events.
    It inspired me to complete my piece called "Telling Gout from Gonorrhoea" set to publish in a few days….

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