Apparently, I Have to Have a Sample Policy
One of the things I’ve noticed, reading 5,000 wine blogs a day, is that every single one of them has a policy about accepting free wine free wine for review. There are wine blogs out there that show no sign of ever having had a visitor, and they have these incredibly ornate and lawyerly policies that make it sound like they’re eternally beset by corrupting influences. Like high schoolers signing virginity pledges, we wine bloggers are supposed to state firmly and in public that we can not be had. It’s apparently a question not just of ethics, but of morality.
For the record, no one has ever, as a result of this blog, offered me free wine. I can’t even get serious people to return my emails, let alone send me a bottle of wine. And I’m just fine with that, really. I like to support wineries, restaurants and retailers. They work hard and don’t get a lot of breaks and I’d rather they be happy to see me than feel like, “Damn, it’s that freeloader again.”
Still, I need a policy, so here it is.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:42 PM
lol! Great post – and I love the policy!
I wish I needed a sample policy – imagine someone giving you free wine to try? In my dreams.
Jim
February 12th, 2010 at 9:14 AM
I received a free one yesterday that I’ll let you have, if you pay the shipping.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:14 AM
I’m not a blogger, just that species of vermin known as a retailer, so I accept samples, gifts, trips, meals, lodging and imprinted sportswear. Oddly, my rep in the trade is that I’m incorruptable. Am I the only one who knows that they just haven’t met my reserve price yet?
February 16th, 2010 at 9:42 PM
I accept the challenge of getting you a rose that you will enjoy, that time is coming when you will find Bandol a mouth-filling experience. Next glass is on me.