I have to admit, that I enjoy wine so much that I started to write about it. I often remind you that I am not an authority or even profess to being one. The school I went to for wines, was the school of hard knocks. Everything that I have learned about wine is from my own self-studies. I am not rich and every wine or meal that I have ever had for the most part is by sacrificing something else for that occasion. In my “About” page I have a terse statement of what my goals for The Wine Raconteur are: “A non-technical wine site, where I get to talk about my memories, and the smiles that the wine makers skills have given to me. I just wish I had more of some of the wines to share with you, and to taste again. Though some are etched in the back of my brain, with the brazen defiance that I will never surpass that one perfect bottle, but I keep trying.”
I am getting close to my one-thousandth article, which to me, is a bit of an achievement. I have written about my early days of my youth, right about to the present, and I have written about all points of time in between, when something jogs my memory. Thank God that I have been a pack rat most of my life, as opposed to a member of the Rat Pack; and that is why I am able to post most of the time, not only a wine label, but usually a curio from the moment as well, like a matchbook.
This article or something like it, should have been saved for my thousandth article, but I will write something more upbeat for that time. I recently had the first negative response to my writings, which I did not allow to be published, but the words of the writer bothered me. I had to sit back and think about it for a while. I received these words “While you may know a thing or two about wine, your blog is nothing more than a weekly story about yourself. Really stop!”
I had to ponder this statement. The more I thought about it, the more I thought about what I was doing, and blogs are personal journeys. While I follow many wine blogs and I always try to be encouraging, the ones that I enjoy most are the personal accounts, not just reviews on a wine, though I appreciate reading those as well to, I don’t feel that I am such an authority to make fiats about wine. I relish reading about my fellow bloggers that go to conferences, elaborate wine tastings and even the wine junkets that some of them have the honor of going to; as I live vicariously through their words and images. I am amazed at the wonderful articles about the wines that they receive from wineries and agencies for their appraisals. Perhaps I am doing something wrong, as my memories all came from the wallet.
I have decided though that I will continue writing the only way I know how and that is with the “conceit” that I am having a tete-a-tete with some one sitting at a table as we both enjoy a glass or two of wine. As I look back over all of my writings I have written on wines as diverse Charles Shaw’s “Three Buck Chuck” and Barefoot to the wines of the DRC and some of the first growths of the Medoc. I have been blessed to have tried so many different wines. I have also written about home cooked meals, carry-outs and even left-overs that have been paired with wines to elaborate dinner parties. I have written about small local eateries to some of the finest restaurants in the country. I would not be willing to give up any of these memories, and there are many more to be recounted. After all that is what a raconteur does, in spite of criticisms. I am that old uncle at the dinner table that can keep the table entertained with stories, some that have been edited to make them suitable for all ages.
The Wine Raconteur 
Keep writing your blog. After all, the experience of wine is mostly a personal one.
Thank you for your support, and that is the way I have been writing from the beginning. – John
John, nobody can tell you what to write or not to write in your own, personal blog. You have your style, and this is why we all come back to your personal pages for many years. Quite on contrary, please don’t stop, and please continue sharing your memories.
Anatoli, thank you for the great words and pep talk, and you have been with me, almost from the beginning. You, as always have been a gentleman. – John
Well said – the personal experiences and memories make wines even better. And yes, that is why we read your blog.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and for stopping by. Since I have always had wine for enjoyment, it is how I always think. And may I say that I have had plenty of wines since the late Sixties. – John
There’s only one “Wine Raconteur”, keep on keeping on! Your posts come across as very personal and it is a pleasure to read them.
Frank, thank you and that was my thought and some of you are making me feel like I am doing the right thing. – John
I love reading your blog. Don’t sell yourself short. You have a voice & a story to tell. You are a man of class and style. Keep up the good work!
Michelle, thank you so much and thank you for taking the time from all of your writings to say such fine words. As always – John
John,
As they say, “Haters gonna hate.” From reading the comments above, you can see that people enjoy reading your blog. If we all just wanted to read the ‘paid’ experts, there wouldn’t be this large supportive blog community. And, I know I’m glad they’re there.
Bill, thank, you and all the others, you and the other “personal” writers validate my thoughts. I shall try to offer my two cents on any given subject. – John
The reason I started reading your blog was your stories about Detroit or visiting kids in Vegas or the fabulous restaurants of yesterday-year! Plus how you remind me that wine is to be Enjoyed w loved ones and friends and knowledge isn’t always necessary to do this, just the willingness to embrace life. Keep the stories coming! Please!
Allison, thank you for such kind words and a great pep talk. I agree that wine should be enjoyed with others and that is how memories are made, even if I tend to ramble now and then. I still have boxes of labels that I have not mentioned. – John
John, we enjoy your writings! Chalk up that negative response to experience- either jealousy, or just someone with a different palate. It is bound to happen. I look forward to your posts and interactions, amd urge you to continue your excellent work. You are a valued part of our community! I want to hear your stories!
Jim, thank you very much and I do appreciate your thoughts on this. This blog is almost as much fun as the wines and moments that I get to write about. As always you are a great wine friend. – John
I believe there are more than two sides to every story. And, there are millions of points of views with relevant experiences that pertain to so many wines. The more we learn, the better choices we can make!