Another wine column's demise
For me, the question came when Gourmet magazine closed: Is traditional food and drink journalism disappearing? Just a few days ago on Christmas day, long-time wine critics John Brecher and Dorothy Gaiter announced their last column at the Wall Street Journal. Explained wine blog Vinography:
This unannounced departure of the unique husband and wife wine journalists represents yet another brick falling from the crumbling wall of professional wine journalism. The word on the street suggests that while the Journal has no intention of discontinuing its wine coverage, this was a layoff along the lines of so many that have occurred in the last 18 months. In short, the Journal wants to pay only a single salary instead of two very expensive ones.
Do you think food and drink criticism from traditional media outlets is on the way out? Is there refuge in food blogs? Is the flavor any different?
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Comments (4)
Having said that, if the information is all there, does it really matter that much?
I think what this is is a general shaking out. Those folks have been writing great content for years I'm sure, but I'm guessing they haven't been observant of what's going on around them in the media space.
Gary V represents a part of the new generation of wine lover. Wine lovers come in all flavors and textures... just like wine... What I hope happens with this duo is that they set up a Wordpress blog, grab a video camera and start reviewing wine and continuing their journalistic excellence. This way, they can build their audience and add to it greatly. There's no reason why their existing audience can't follow them in this new media space. And there's NO reason why they can't benefit financially from it. I'm sure they can get some affiliate accounts and do a little selling as well as HARD journalism. Their expertise will be greatly sough after.
They've obviously been "crushing it" for years with the Journal, now it's time to "do it for real" as it were.
-dave
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