Rarely have I written a post so polarizing as this one. I received a ton of feedback, both in the comments, and in person.
Since this is my blog, I get the final word (I hope?). Here are my wrap up comments hoping to provide a little epilogue to the mini controversy.
- This post was meant to be lesson for small wineries, first and foremost.
- In hindsight, I realized that The Prisoner probably did start out as a very small boutique winery, that grew very large through the very marketing methods detailed in this post
- Big does not necessarily equal bad. Although there is a strong correlation between the two.
- My snarky comments probably fueled speculation that this was a passive aggressive knock on this wine. It sort of was, however, the focus shouldn't be on my comments about the winery, more so about the fact that this is truly brilliant marketing.
- I do despise this wine and wines of this style, I believe that "crowd pleasing" is a cop out for dumb, sweet wines. I appreciate the fact that they have made the world safe for non-mono varietal wines, but I also think that they are leading people right down the road of the bad overpriced Napa cabs we've all grown to loathe.
- It's easy to be a critic. I applaud anyone who creates. Only the most influential could ever be a victim to my smarmy backhanded critiques, so if they catch my ire, they have already funded their retirement, and it comes with the territory of being a leader.
- I am not jealous. I just disagree with the style-don't confuse the two. Jealousy is a lazy knock.
- I don't disparage anyone that sells this wine. They have all done well for themselves with it, and in the world of quality wine, selling out really isn't fair. We rarely have a chance to select our own portfolio, and only a fool would say no to this sort of income.
- People are wildly defensive about the wines they sell-I also decided that I would be equally defensive about one of my producers-affinity for your selections is an important part of this business, and a topic I will delve further into next week.
Posts
The wine industry needs to stop making people wrong for drinking wine they like, regardless of what it is. To expand the market, consumers need to feel safe making choices without a critic or public voice telling them they are stupid for doing so. Honestly, I'm just happy the folks who drink Prisoner are drinking wine - period.
ReplyDeleteJealousy may be a lazy knock but it is true. Any criticism comes from a well of jealousy. There is no virtue in criticism. It is a way to unleash your own frustrations upon others who have found a success you are still struggling to obtain. People at peace with themselves and the world do not criticize, they accept, applaud, and go on with their own happy lives.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, The Prisoner sucks and I wouldn't drink it if you paid me.
Ouch anonymous-isn't your last line a criticism?
ReplyDeleteLazy is anyone who refuses to make their comments under their own name.
ReplyDelete"I believe that "crowd pleasing" is a cop out for dumb, sweet wines". Gotta quibble with this. There are too many wines that would likely be crowd pleasing if they got the distribution and trial, but are not dumb in the sense of your Prisoner critique. Finger Lakes Riesling, Missouri Vignoles, Portuguese dry reds, Bugey Cerdon, Alto Adige Muller-Thurgau, Lodi or Umpqua Tempranillo, Muscat de Rivesaltes, take a bow.
ReplyDelete