The Sport of Speed Wine Blogging
Over the weekend I caught a glimpse of the future; something that could truly revolutionize action TV sports. It could be bigger than fishing or hunting TV. It will be more exciting than TV poker tournaments. I’m a little hesitant in sharing for fear that the idea could actually be picked up by a national show.
Speed Wine Blogging!
The rules
- 8 wine bloggers / 8 wines / 4 minutes with each wine
- Bloggers listen to the marketing PR blurb then quickly swirl, smell, sip, spit and score the wines.
- Prior to the cowbell ringing the blogger must document their tasting notes with either a tweet or a mini-post consisting of no more than 300 characters (140 character reviews are given an extra 2 points)
- At the end of each round the posts and scores are evaluated and compared to the baseline “Parker Score” to determine those that continue to the next round.
- One blogger is eliminated each round.
- The last blogger remaining wins.
The scene is intense. The room reeks with anticipation…and hints of brett, funk and cherries. The assembled bloggers are cleansing their palates, stretching their tongues and limbering up their nostrils for the event.
Here we are today assembled around the greatest talent in wine writing and reviewing hoping to determine the world champion of Speed Wine Tasting (Red Edition). Our contestants hail from across the US in the hopes to win the coveted @bparkerchuk trophy of a giant nose sniffing a bung hole. “Much love and success to each of you. 100 points *” inscribed on the base.
Our contestants are the formidable Joe Roberts (1WineDude.com), Steve Heimoff (SteveHeimoff.com), Fredric Koeppel (BiggerThanYourHead.net), C. Jason Mancebo (20dollarwineblog.com), Kori Voorhees(WinePeeps.com), Pamela (Enobytes.com), Gary Vaynerchuk (TV.winelibrary.com), and newcomer Steve Paulo (StevePaulo.com).
Round One
Round one begins with a fast pace as the winemaker rushes from contestant to contestant pouring and explaining the wine. The camera cuts across each of the blogger/writers serious faces as they begin to examine the wine with vigorous swirls. Thoughts of berries, cherries, cassis, leather, plums, prunes and pencil led come to mind. The camera cuts to Gary V. who spits gloriously in his trademark Jets spittoon. Newcomer Steve Paulo looks perplexed by the mouth feel of the wine and newly crowned blog king Joe Roberts has already submitted his perfectly crafted 140 character tweet and score. The horn sounds signaling the end of round one. What’s this! Gary Vaynerchuk has grabbed the mic and begins talking about the wine’s availability on Cinderella.com and how he met the winemaker back when he sold him a baseball card in the Jersey mall. The side judges quickly regain control and deliberate the outcome of the first round. In a huge surprise, Gary is cited with a black Vinum and ejected from the competition. Gary offers a string of expletives and then reminds folks of the “Thank You Economy” coming out later this year.
Round Two
The crowd quickly regains composure as round two sounds with the clicking of the 85oz Riedel glass. Everyone gasps at the odd blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, and Cinsault. This may prove to be a difficult round. In a bold move with only one sip and spit, both Fredric Koeppel and Steve Heimoff confidently submit their post. Let’s watch that again in slow motion…will their haste prove to be a good strategy or will one of them be eliminated? The bell rings and Pamela from Enobytes is having trouble submitting her post. Twitter API is frozen! The judges huddle and extend the time by 30 seconds. Everyone has their entries in and the judges quickly review the submissions to determine the winner. The scoring is close with Heimoff pegging the wine almost to a tee. Missing the flavor profile and the score by just one point, Pamela is eliminated. Damn that fail whale.
The energy in the room continues to rise as the rounds progress.
Round Three
Kori Voorhees is eliminated after round three. Strangely enough the wine was a Woodinville winery from her backyard. Dejected Kori and Colby rush from the packed auditorium trying to escape the media interview. As Randy and Kaz from WineBizRadio.com try to stop them, Colby takes the camera and smashed it to the ground.
Round Four
Round four ends with the elimination of Steve Heimoff. He is disqualified for going over the 300 character limit as his post includes a rant against the Republican leadership in California and a dissertation on how no money will ever be made in wine blogging. He’s escorted out of the room by security.
Round Five
With only four contestants remaining the fifth round begins. The purple tooth stains and barrage of tannin and acid are beginning to take their toll on the contestant’s palates. A strange purple stain had developed on Mancebo’s chin…and oddly enough on his bald head…Joe Roberts has a commanding lead with each review coming in at exactly 140 characters. The contestants battle through the round when out of the corner of his eye, Joe catches a glimpse of Geddy Lee from Rush in the stands. Immediately he faints from excitement and is disqualified. After calming the crowd and reviving Joe, the play continues.
Round Six
Three contestants remain; Mancebo, Koeppel, and newcomer Steve Paulo. Mancebo’s eyes seem a little bloodshot and he’s struggling to find the keys on his iPad. A bead of sweat drips from his chin into the glass. The wine is the Molly Dooker Velvet Glove. As he stares into his glass his face turns flush and he quickly rises. “No wine should be 16.8%ABV this is a travesty against wi….” In mid-sentence he falls forward onto the table sending purple spit juice everywhere. For several minutes the scene is chaos. The head referee calls for a 30 minute break so the contestants and compose themselves and clean the spit out of their hair. In a post interview, Mancebo says, “I guess the lesson here is to spit. I let the excitement of the day get to me. I’m a professional, I should know better than that. I’ll be back next year.”
Final Round
The lights dim and the music comes up as the final round begins with perennial award winner Fredric Koeppel and the new kid Steve Paulo surviving to the finish. Intense stares of determination are fired across the table. The wine poured is a 1949 Chateau Ausone. The stage is set and the audience is eerily quiet for the first time all evening. The sound of swishing and spitting can be heard across the room. Both writers deliberate, sketch a few notes and deliberate some more. A commotion arises from the back of the room. Bursting into the room is Joe Powers from AnotherWineBlog.com. “This is a scam, this is a set up! Who are the judges? How the hell did these people get picked to be in the finals! I demand to know!” He overturns the table crushing Koeppel. Paulo attempts to restrain him, but Joe (more crafty than he looks) eludes his grip and rushes off. Screaming toward the exit, “I bet Tom Wark is behind this madness,” Lenn Thompson from NewYorkCorkReport.com dives from the mezzanine level and tackles Joe. Lenn quickly restrains him and stuffs his head in the only remaining spit bucket.
What a night. What a sport. Dazed, the officials and referees head to the replay booth to review the tape. After several minutes of deliberation, they return to declare Steve Paulo the winner by default as he is the last man standing. This new sport is sure to take hold across the country as wine bloggers turn in to rock stars and thousands clamor to the scene.
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57 Comments:
By Vivian Mycroft 29 Jun 2010
What a surprise – GaryV was ejected first round. Vegas had odds for GaryV to be in at least until Round 7. Odds on Paulo made him a long shot! Somebody surely cleaned up picking Paulo to win it all. Were the winnings used to buy the $180/bottle Molly Dooker? That is over $10 for each percentage of ABV. Perhaps I have just hit upon a new measure. Mutineer Mag should adopt it.
Great weekend!
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Vivian – yep the oddsmakers were stunned on this one. Steve put all his google ad money on himself and walked away with a cool $68.12 in prize money. He was able to buy a glass of Molly Dooker from the vegas restaurant with that!
Cheers!
By 1WineDude 29 Jun 2010
Laughing my ass off!
Nice one…
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Joe – sorry you didn’t win this one. I figured you already had enough glory for one year! haha!
By Steve Paulo 29 Jun 2010
Well played, sir… well played! I would happily defend my crown, even if I did win by default
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Can’t believe you let Joe Powers get away from you that easily. He was like a greased pig…actually ran under your legs…it was funny. Next year you can defend the crown and win the right way!
By Joe 29 Jun 2010
Paulo the winner?? This is bullsh*t!!! I had $1000 riding on Mancebo at even money odds. Do you know how many $20 bottles of wine $2000 would’ve bought??!
I call shenanigans!!
Damn funny post, Josh. I’m trying to solidify myself as wine blogging’s comedian, but you are forcing me to up my game. Cheers to that!
Joe (not to be confused with Powers or Roberts) Herrig
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Joe – that last minute entry by Powers effed up your chances. If Mancebo could hold his booze you may have had a shot!
By Ed Thralls 29 Jun 2010
Well played, sir. At the very least this should be picked up for ESPN3.com
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Ed – I think this could be moved to ABC prime time event with the activities that could occur. I mean really, did you hear about the Hardy Party and the Charles Smith party? Wine, flaming pasties, cops…makes for some good TV
By Cecilia Dominic 29 Jun 2010
Ha! I hate reality t.v., but I’d watch this. Great post!
Cecilia
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Wouldn’t it be a hoot! Maybe the food network could pick it up!
By Jennifer (wineofcourse) 29 Jun 2010
Love it Josh! Your commentary is brilliant! I see a bright future for speed wine blogging. Anyone thinking what I’m thinking?…Summer AND Winter Olympics! Finally Wine is a Sport! Cheers!
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Could really branch out to include white tasting, ports, regions and more!
By Ryan O'Connell 29 Jun 2010
lmao, awesome idea. Good work, sir! Let’s do it IRL. I’ve got a venue if you can get to France.
World’s Fastest Sommelier competition 2011
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Ooooh – in real life! Wow, that could be fun!
By Preston Porter 29 Jun 2010
Haha love it!
“Prior to the cowbell ringing…” I think Christopher Walken should be the cowbell ringer/referee for every Speed Wine event
By Joshua S Sweeney 29 Jun 2010
Why in the hell didn’t I make it out to WBC10? You better be ready, Steve. I’m training with Apollo Creed AND Mr. T up in the Soviet mountains (don’t question the timeline). Come, WBC 11, I’m storming through this event, and my sights are on you.
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Preston – you’re on to something “more cowbell”
Josh – Steve can defend his title…good luck on the prelims leading up to the finals! Get that palate trained!
By Jason Mancebo 29 Jun 2010
Wow, Josh. You nailed me on that one…and I exit on the perfect note for the not so perfect wine.
Now that I’m infamous, I WILL be back!
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Haha! Next year, you’ll have to learn to spit! Maybe then you can take the crown! Good to meet you at WBC
By Jon 29 Jun 2010
I think I would make a great contender for 2011
By Brian 29 Jun 2010
I hear spin-offs, Iron Taster, American Wino, So you think you can Taste, Tasting with the Stars…
Yikes!
norcalwingman
By Beau Carufel 29 Jun 2010
I laughed my a$$ off! Absolutely superb, didn’t know Jason was such a lightweight
By Brian 29 Jun 2010
Oh, and I’m fairly sure this would only be aired on ESPN 8 “The Ocho”
By Sunshine Mugrabi 29 Jun 2010
Oh man, this brings back memories of that cowbell… Very funny stuff.
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Brian – that’s some funny stuff. Tasting with the Stars – I like that one!
Beau – I know, who knew. I figured a guy of his stature could handle his stuff
Jon – Next year! You could definitely be in the running! You’ll have to work on your chops now!
By Laurel (CorkPopper) 29 Jun 2010
Ha! Fantastic! We should totally make it happen at next year’s WBC … except now I’m picturing a marathon session wherein the two final contenders end up in a tie over and over again like that Wimbledon match last week!!
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
Oh man, that Wimbledon match was amazing! If that happened in the wine world, someone would be bound to pass out from alcohol poisoning or tooth rot
By Pamela @ Enobytes 29 Jun 2010
#twitterfail #twitterfail #twitterfail #twitterfail #twitterfail #twitterfail
I demand a rematch!
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
You were robbed, Pamela! Couldn’t believe it when I saw it! That added stress must have caused you to miss out on something in the wine.
By Ben Simons 29 Jun 2010
Outstanding post Josh. I laughed out loud on the airplane I was boarding in Vegas. I ended up having to explain what I was laughing about to a nun sitting next to me, who just stared blankly back at me and said, “hmm”.
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
HA! Ben, you explained a speed wine tasting to a nun. That is frickin’ hilarious!
By David Honig 29 Jun 2010
Perfect. Joe Power was a great touch. The only question I have is, what the hell is Wine Biz RADIO doing with a camera?!?
By drinknectar 29 Jun 2010
I know, right! Why do they film people if it’s just going to be on the radio? Had fun writing the post…makes me nervous that you wrote it because I know I need an editor!
By Kori 29 Jun 2010
Hilarious, Josh! 3rd round, huh? I’ll be back next year to take it all.
By Colby 29 Jun 2010
David – Josh is too polite to say where I put the microphone!
By Tamara Belgard 29 Jun 2010
Josh, we all knew you were funny, but you’ve really outdone yourself, practically wet myself!! And do I detect just a smattering of parody? Well played! 140 character wine reviews – you may be onto something (else).
By drinknectar 30 Jun 2010
Tamara, it was one of the more enjoyable posts to write! 140 character reviews…Joe Roberts beat me to that idea…he already does them
Colby and Kori – I’m so glad you have a good sense of humor!
By Kristen 30 Jun 2010
Hilarious post Josh! And I think Jon Troutman would be an excellent choice of a contender next year.
By drinknectar 30 Jun 2010
Oh, yeah – he better work on his chops, there is some serious competition out there. I think training has begun already.
By fredric koeppel 01 Jul 2010
Josh, I hope my injuries weren’t too serious…
By drinknectar 01 Jul 2010
Fredric – you had to be rushed to the hospital, but things look good for a chance to come back. I had you as a lock to win…Joe Powers ruined it for you. Better luck next year!
Josh
By A Video Recap of WBC10 And Bonus Stuff | Drink Nectar 01 Jul 2010
[...] The Sport of Speed Wine Blogging (satire) [...]
By Cindy @Vinonotes 02 Jul 2010
This just may be (yep, it is!) my favorite wine blog post, recap, idea, etc ever! So funny! So glad I was there – pouring for all you blogging maniacs! ha!
Next year – perhaps there could be a sensory tasting element included, where one of the rounds happens in the dark?
Oh, and I absolutely love Brian’s comments and names for spin-off shows – “So you think you can Taste”. Pure Awesomeness!
By drinknectar 02 Jul 2010
Cindy,
Are you sure you want a bunch of drunk wine bloggers in a dark room together? Hmmmmm
By Houstonwino 02 Jul 2010
How unrealistic! Being from Toledo, I would easily have taken out a few more people before being subdued. And that spit bucket better have had some good stuff in it too.
By drinknectar 02 Jul 2010
Joe,
You did manage to get away from Steve Paulo…and he’s a big guy! I think Lenn took you by surprise with his dive bomb from the balcony.
Josh
By Mia 02 Jul 2010
ROFLMAO ! Hilarious post!
By drinknectar 02 Jul 2010
Thanks, Mia!
By Houstonwino 02 Jul 2010
True, those New York guys are pretty sneaky. Just wait until next year…
By WineWonkette 02 Jul 2010
Funny as sh!t post! However, Lenn could NEVER subdue @HoustonWino. Too bad I forgot to bring his “F*ck You, I’m From Detroit” Kid Rock T-shirt. Heimoff’s “black belt” might as well be pink.
By drinknectar 02 Jul 2010
OMG, that is funny! If I knew Joe was from Toledo the outcome may have been completely different!
By Houstonwino 02 Jul 2010
Good thing that you didn’t. If it were like the typical movie script, coming from the same place as P.J. O’Roark and Gloria Steinham would have ended up with me as a hit man or a transvestite with a chili dog fetish. Or worse…married to Tom Cruise.
By William Pollard 02 Jul 2010
I did the speed wine blogging at WBC 10 on Friday – ended up at the Charles Smith party with flaming burlesque girls. Not sure how I got there or back to my room. I’m swearing off the speed blogging.
By drinknectar 03 Jul 2010
William, I missed that Charles Smith party but I hear it was an amazing time. Anytime you get flaming pasties and booze together, you’ve got a combustable mix
By A Few Highlights from the Wine Bloggers Conference ‘10 | Enobytes Wine Blog 03 Jul 2010
[...] Speed tasting – I was ousted by some dude named Steve Paulo. #twitterfail #twitterfail #twitterfail #twitterfail I demand a rematch! [...]