Wine 2.0 Tasting @ Crushpad

Great crowd, fantastic wines, cool mix up of technology and of course…this very social event: that was the basic recipe for Thursday’s Wine 2.0 Tasting.  The tweet-stream of the evening played high above the crowd.  Video screens and projectors with various content were in every row.  But I think my favorite part has to be the bloggers lounge.  Here, Wine 2.0 is working to set aside space for food & wine bloggers to do what they do right there at the event.  Of course no one wants to spend a whole tasting attached to their keyboard when there is wine to enjoy…but the possibility of connecting a few readers with the bloggers experience in real time, maybe some photos and a couple quick wine reviews, sounds like a great blend of technology and  current, relevant stuff.  My next hope is that consumers at the tasting have enough exposure to the bloggers at the event and have the opportunity to connect with the wine bloggers and their content.

The greatest value I see in creating a space for the bloggers at these events, in addition to acknowledging their passion and contribution to the wine loving world, is to connect them with consumers and fellow trade to increase exposure and readership.  I think the next easy step is to include links to the attending bloggers’ web sites. Their content continues to be entertaining, interesting, educational and valuable to wine consumers…and did I mention wine blogs are free?  They can help cover wines attendees weren’t able to get to or couldn’t remember.  Their coverage of the event seems to me to be an obvious way to reconnect with the wine tasting experience, the wineries and the wine bloggers who were there.

There are always more wine blogs to check out.  My blog roll to the right here is continually getting longer and their content keeps getting better.  There is so much variety that I’m sure you’ll find one to suit your taste.  Check out a wine blog now.

Cheers.

Sociology x Social Media

So much of the Web 2.0 Expo conversation about Social Media will be obvious to blog readers.  But what is so interesting  and invaluable for long term adoption is that multiple sciences are brought here in this conference to bear out what we have instinctively found: that online/Social Media and Social Networking offers us tremendous value.  Social Media brings us value to our every day lives on a personal level, for example, connecting with our friends on facebook.  Social Media offers us a deep value by connecting us with our families through share sites like flicker or 12Seconds.tv.  And Social Networking offers us immeasurable value professionally and intellectually whether through sites like LinkedIn, Dopplr or blogs that bring like-minded people together for conversation, debate, travel or inspiration.

Seth Godin has famously having dubbed these collectives or groups of people tribes.

It is fascinating to watch giant corporations like Ford level their full array of resources, people, funding, third party consulting and enough legal freedom to pursue a social media program.  They seem to be doing everything right, even when they make mistakes…because they’ll need the grassroots groundswell of support to survive the current organizational and financial fiasco their industry is going through;  however, I am left with the question that is always a bottom line for any business…”Is the product really that good?”  I know, I know, forgive me!  The Mustang is a classic…and Ford = American business success…perhaps.  But only if they can deliver on all cylinders (I couldn’t resist)…product, conversation, community, service.

Social Media and its place in business is still in its infancy.  But you  are all early adopters and therefore building the structure, creating the atmosphere and guidelines and therefore the climate within which this space develops and thrives.  Another relevant, interesting session was specifically dedicated to the sociology and metrics of “the conversation” called Beyond Buzz: On Measuring a Conversation.  More on that in follow-up.

There is also the  session talking more about the people than anything else:  It’s the People, Stupid, hosted by Debs Schultz and Brian Oberkirch.  They talk about human interaction as being at the very core of this technology and online medium.  While it can be so easy to forget while you are posted at your keyboard that your communication goal is to reach another person, the people who can remember that you are connecting with real people with real needs, feelings, quirkiness, passions and so on…those people will succeed the most in this space.

There will be much more in follow up and conversation I hope.  I’m about at my word limit for a single summary.  But because I’d like to leave you with a smile…enjoy the LolCats…and please post your comments and thoughts.

Sifting Thru for Inspiration

Last fall, I attended the New York Web 2.0 Expo.  You can tell from my blog and twitter stream then (September 2008) that that conference was wholly inspirational for me.  On multiple fronts, from the keynote speakers (we enjoyed Gary Vaynerchuk, Arianna Huffington and Ben Huh from ICanHasCheeseburger) to a fantastic series of workshops and sessions …and then there was the networking, and Wine 2.0 tasting, the tweeting, the blogging…you get the idea…value and inspiration.

So yes, from this side of the event, I can identify the value,  inspiration, excitement and content that has changed the way I do business, marketing, blogging and sales.  Now on the early side of a new conference and a full cup of coffee…it isn’t so easy to see the inspiration…all I got is anticipation.  And I’m wondering, though trusting, that the inspiration, excitement, etc. will come.  But that takes time.  And you could also probably say you get out what you put in to it.  Sifting through the details of the first session, Web Monitoring, requires…more coffee, and some critical thinking, focus and application of strategy.  In a snapshot cliche from the 80′s, “No Pain, No Gain.”

I’m looking forward to all of it.  More coffee first, then content and connection, then cocktails.  This is where ideas gestate, then are able to take on a life of their own.  And you never know where you’ll find inspiration; but I can promise that Web 2.0 is definitely among the most fertile ground in this space.

Food & Wine Porn

I’ve been learning a lot lately about what I do (always learning more with wine), where I’m going, and the work-life balance along the way.  Something else I learned about myself:  I’m into Food & Wine Porn…my wino, foodie, bacon loving friends will know exactly what I’m talking about.  The rest of you can guess…or perhaps smirk at my noob status in this strange new world.  For example, now I can get a visceral, mouth-watering reaction not just from smelling divine foods as they are prepared, I can also have these reactions when people just talk about it…and even show me pictures.

Precious complaints aside re: terrible service or hospitality in the Valley, I’ll never stop and will likely increase my love for food, wine and the pleasure of enjoying those in the company of great friends and family.  With that said, it seems like the perfect opportunity to share my latest Food & Wine porn site with you…and some of her selections…oh man.  Just check these out and tell me you don’t want some!

Juggling that work-life balance and living in the world of food and wine reminds me to savor…the flavors, the moments, the company.  All she needs now is the bacon.  Thanks PinkPeppercorn.

Photos courtesy of Gail aka ThePinkPeppercork…on flickr.

Good Bubbles

I have some serious praise for Mr. Tom Tiburzi, the Domaine Chandon sparkling winemaker.  He went above and beyond the call of duty.  Indeed he responded to my unhappy post about an unpleasant experience some friends and I had at Domaine Chandon last month.  He certainly didn’t have to do that… but there was something about hiscommunication, a connection, or something that was not coated with an obligatory-fixing-a-problem-ness, that changed me and my experience at Domaine Chandon, therefore, was changed.  Maybe he was just doing his job (it sure didn’t feel like that);  but when anyone can do their job extremely well, (he’s been at Domaine Chandon 20 years) and still have enough passion, knowledge and care for sharing and inspiring the people around him, that is above and beyond the call of duty and truly praise worthy.  Any opportunity you find to attend a winemaker dinner, a talk or tour with this man will be memorable, and prescious time well spent.

I could tell you about the excitement he has about the chemistry and psychology of taste; or the joy he takes in challenging people’s concept of romance.  I could recount his fascinating stories about studying winemaking with other world reknown winemakers before he achieved his current position, or his bent for experimental, progressive, and better wine making practices.  And I could tell you about his big picture prespective within the company where he works (Domaine Chandon is owned by Louis-Vuitton Moet Hennessey) and the projects and collaborations he gets to work on (DKNY, an anniversary blend, the White House, green sparkling wine for St. Patricks Day)…or you could create your own opportunity to enjoy one of the most hospitable, dynamic, passionate and approachable winemakers in the Napa Valley.

Adria Richards: Woman in Technology

I struggled with who to write about ever since I signed up for this pledge.  Knowing how noteworthy and valuable this series would be, I had to get it right.  Thanks to my addiction to political news and Rachel Maddow, I found Adria Richards.  She is now known for exposing lax or non-existent security on Norm Coleman’s website (R: Minnesota senate candidate) leaving over 50,000 donor credit cards vulnerable to fraud and theft.  Ms. Richards is an independent woman in technology, young, with vision and a political bent…for this post, she is perfect!  Check out more about Adria on her site: But You’re a Girl.Com (I love that site name.)

Quoting directly from her About Me page: “Women often get the short end of the stick when it comes to technology. People’s perceptions of what she’s capable of and interested in affect her opportunities and earnings. I know I’m not the only female in technology who is sick of pink laptops and rhinestone cell phones. I’m going to blog about things I enjoy in the technology world and gripe about the frustrating things in a constructive way.”

And:

I could not be more proud to be a working woman in this time and place right now.  People like Adria Richards with her focus, determination, courage and brilliance inspire me to do more, be more, reach for more.  I love that she has a running list of goals on her web site.  And she’s crossing them off one by one.  Her sharp and gentle savvy are a breath of fresh air.  It is my honor to share with you this Woman in Technology: Ms. Adria Richards.

Photo & Video courtesy of Ms. Adria Richards website.

AND:

* http://findingada.com
* http://www.pledgebank.com/AdaLovelaceDay
* http://twitter.com/FindingAda
* http://groups.yahoo.com/group/findingada
* http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47550446005

Funny for Friday: Dr. Seuss on Champagne

I’m enjoying my way through this book:  Vintage Humor for Wine Lovers by Malcom Kushner.  I’ll offer a review soon, but until I’m done, I’d like to offer you an excerpt I just love.  Have a great wine this weekend.

If Famous Authors & Comedians Wrote About Wine

Dr. Seuss on Champagne

I do not like it

Cham-I-am.

I do not like that pagne of cham

It sends bubbles up my nose

And makes me vomit on my toes

I do not like that

Cham-I-am

Would you like it here or there?

I would not like it here or there

I would not like it anywhere

Would you like it in a flute?

I would not like it in a flute

And even Horton wouldn’t give a hoot

Would you like it if it’s old?

Could you like it if it’s cold?

I would not like it if it’s old

I could not like it if it’s cold

I would not like it here or there

I would not like it anywhere

I do not like that pagne of Cham