Launching the Wine Blog Association

I am pleased to announce to English-speakers the formation of the Wine Blog Association, an assortment of blogs and their owners representing several aspects of the wine world.  Especially the Italian wine world.

The brainchild of Franco Ziliani, one of Italy's best and best-known wine journalists and Giampiero Nadali, whose Aristide blog has been world-class since its inception in January 2005, the Wine Blog Association has thirteen charter members from different professions but a common passion: wine, its enjoyment and the culture that it represents.

Some of the blogger members are like me, people (consumers) who like to explore wine and share their findings; although some are far more serious and systematic than I am (Aristide aka Giampiero Nadali).  Some, like Franco Ziliani, are professional journalists in the sector, some are marketers (like Slawka Scarso), while still others are wine producers (Susanna Crociani). Now we are thirteen, but we hope to attract more members.

The purpose of the Wine Blog Association is to validate and affirm the independent role of the blogger in disseminating information and opinions about wine, without being in the grip of large publications and producers.  Over time it will organize its own events and develop its own initiatives of consumer education while constantly testing the efficacy of new forms of electronic communication. 

We charter members of the WBA are dissatisfied with the state of standard wine publications and their bases of judgment, their scores, and so on.   We also see threats to the liberating effects of blogging as it has developed so far, with attempts to control and spin it for the profit of large corporations.  Freedom of opinion and expression--that's key to the dynamism and public benefit of wine blogs.  Which is the main reason we have decided not to allow the blogs of PR and advertising firms to join the association.

Giampiero Nadali, who is the spokesman of the organization, has also drawn up a code of ethics, which demands responsible behavior on our part.  The gist of the code is simple and to the point: don't spread lies, be forthcoming about who is paying for what you report on, and tell the truth as you see it. 

I said "announce to the English-speaking world."  All of the other association members are based in Italy and write in Italian.  I'm the only one not based there or writing exclusively in la bella lingua.  But this will change.  There is plenty of room for more wine bloggers who want to join us.  If interested, send an email.  Your application will be treated seriously and with respect.

Comments

[Giampiero alias Aristide]

Dear international friends, this big idea was born in Italy but, starting from the name Wine Blog Association, was conceived for an international audience.
Terry has perfectly introduced - as usual - our mission and objectives.
Let's stay in touch!
Ciao.

[Gourmet]

Bravo Terry!!!
:)

W.B.A. in New York City!!!
How are you dear friend??

[Terry Hughes]

Sandra, thank you and I'm doing fine...especially now that our sojourn in Abruzzo will come in less than 6 weeks.

And you???

[Benoit Tarlant]

Great Idea and interesting concept.
And good to see you found a way to meet. Here in France, we are "technically" syndicate through two main websites
Chateau Loisel-Blog
and Vitiblog
Those two sites are managed by people passionate about wine.
But they are no association, neither blog meeting, which should be the next step to bring what we call "wine conviviality".

[Terry Hughes]

We'll see how it all works out.

And there's nothing wrong with wine conviviality!