Sep

On the Serious Tip (2)

IDEA: Next time you’re making a cup of tea, don’t brew by the clock or by the colour, instead brew by the SMELL. Keep sniffing at that bag floating in the hot water until it stinks like a perfectly brewed cupa. Apply to other forms of food preparation where necessary.

Now, Jacob Gaffney has been called some pretty nasty names before. After one conversation with John de Luca, then president of a California wine trade group, Jacob Gaffney actually had to look up some of the terms de Luca used in reference to his work. ‘Pugnacious’ seems to stand out most.

But, attempting direct manipulation of the press was never the norm. The climate, even in wine writing, is changing and Jacob Gaffney needs your help.

After an interview with a Lebanese wine producer on their decision to pull out of a ‘Peace Tasting’, an email hit the inbox. Read it here:

Dear Jacob
Thanks to you too – on 2nd and rather alarming thoughts, you still cannot print anything about the Lebanese/Israeli tasting postponement. It’s still too soon.
I cannot be quoted and prefer not to say anything on this matter, the situation is still too sensitive and I would never want to be responsible for anything that happens to our dear friends in the Bekaa Valley.
This has just been confirmed to me from Lebanon and silence is the preferred option at the moment.
Please can you either cancel your piece regarding this or at the very least delay it until the climate is more favourable.
People’s lives and livelihoods are far more important than a journalistic piece!
Thanks for your kind understanding and let’s speak again into September when we have further information about the 2006 harvest.
Kind regards
XXXX

Now, was this person being bossy? Or was he/she seriously telling a journalist not to ‘follow the blood’? Is it possible that people’s lives would be endangered with such a piece and is yours truly over-blowing the issue? Or do you wish to tell Jacob Gaffney that ‘the wine industry is nothing like the real news, in the real world, you self-important little prick!’

Give us your thoughts.

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Tasting Notes