Thank you for this piece, Meg. Lots to think about as someone trying to get better at writing. Can you recommend some wine writers who regularly utilize these techniques in their writing that would be good to follow and read regularly?
Andrew Jefford is wine writing's reigning monarch. Look at his writing in Decanter and World of Fine Wine, or get his book, Drinking with the Valkyries, which anthologizes much of his work. I love the writing of Terry Theise for its strong voice and perspective. Tamlyn Currin has an utterly unique take on tasting. Get your hands on the annual copies of “Best American Food & Travel Writing” and “Best American Essays.” Read The New Yorker, especially “The Critics.” Mostly I suggest reading nonfiction writers who *don't* cover wine, but instead tackle other cultural phenomena. Hope that helps!
Thank you for this advice, Meg! This does help. I’ve always loved Terry’s writing, so I will revisit some of his articles and tasting notes. I’ve just downloaded Andrew Jefford’s book, so I will work that into my “homework” as well. Thank you again. 😊
I entirely loved reading this. There are so many things for me to carry forward as I write about Virginia wine. I find it hard when people on social media write gushingly about every winery they visit and wine they taste. It's hard not to think they're doing it to please winery owners and get more free stuff. Likewise, when the wine I sip isn't my preferred style, rather than bashing the winery and winemaker, I simply comment on the characteristics of the wine so that a reader who enjoys those can find something they will love.
I often find the story of the winery and wine compelling, and telling that makes writing a post that much more interesting to me, and hopefully to a reader. That's the narrative arc I'm after - why these grapes, and this wine, in this place? Where do you struggle, what do you love? How do you manage the swings in our climate here, the frost, the drought, the hurricane remnants passing thru during harvest? Those stories add life to the wine I'm sipping and keep me coming back.
Thank you for this piece, Meg. Lots to think about as someone trying to get better at writing. Can you recommend some wine writers who regularly utilize these techniques in their writing that would be good to follow and read regularly?
Andrew Jefford is wine writing's reigning monarch. Look at his writing in Decanter and World of Fine Wine, or get his book, Drinking with the Valkyries, which anthologizes much of his work. I love the writing of Terry Theise for its strong voice and perspective. Tamlyn Currin has an utterly unique take on tasting. Get your hands on the annual copies of “Best American Food & Travel Writing” and “Best American Essays.” Read The New Yorker, especially “The Critics.” Mostly I suggest reading nonfiction writers who *don't* cover wine, but instead tackle other cultural phenomena. Hope that helps!
Thank you for this advice, Meg! This does help. I’ve always loved Terry’s writing, so I will revisit some of his articles and tasting notes. I’ve just downloaded Andrew Jefford’s book, so I will work that into my “homework” as well. Thank you again. 😊
Enjoy! Let me know if you find new favorites.
Absolutely!
Adding these to my motivational post-it note!!!
Lovely.
I entirely loved reading this. There are so many things for me to carry forward as I write about Virginia wine. I find it hard when people on social media write gushingly about every winery they visit and wine they taste. It's hard not to think they're doing it to please winery owners and get more free stuff. Likewise, when the wine I sip isn't my preferred style, rather than bashing the winery and winemaker, I simply comment on the characteristics of the wine so that a reader who enjoys those can find something they will love.
I often find the story of the winery and wine compelling, and telling that makes writing a post that much more interesting to me, and hopefully to a reader. That's the narrative arc I'm after - why these grapes, and this wine, in this place? Where do you struggle, what do you love? How do you manage the swings in our climate here, the frost, the drought, the hurricane remnants passing thru during harvest? Those stories add life to the wine I'm sipping and keep me coming back.
Thanks for sharing this!
Dan, many thanks for reading and sharing your own process and approach. ✨
I endorse all of this, but I feel it’s too utopian. The scenario is the writer peacefully contemplating what to write and how to write it.
Very Substack.
Much more realistic is “Omigod I’m on deadline and I haven’t a clue how to start!”
And THEN add all this. 😉
Dave, you have to do all of this *before* the deadline! 😍
That last sentence: It's the one.
What a masterclass, Meg. Thank you.
🥰