I figured those of you who might be disappointed that the predicted 2011 Rapture didn’t turn up this weekend might need a pick-me-up. Not me – I, for one, knew for certain that the Rapture was not coming, because the only true sign of the approach of Rapture is (of course) a lanky guy in an all-white suit and white top hat wearing shades with red lights in them during the night time and getting his groove on with some funky dance moves. And I didn’t see that guy this weekend anywhere…
Anyway… the pick-me-up takes the form of our latest giveaway: this time I’ve got promo codes for three free copies of the recently-revamped iPhone wine app Pocket Wine, sold by Wine Paradigm (a $3.99 value). This is not to be confused with last week’s giveaway, which is still running until Wednesday. Got it? I promise no more concurrent giveaways, because I don’t want anyone’s head to explode.
What has been exploding, however, is the volume of mobile-related wine content in recent weeks (see my recent take on VinPass, and another story posting here later this week on iPad wine mags), so today’s giveaway feels timely (to me, anyway). It also, in turn, makes me feel increasingly older and out-of-date with the mobile scene, since I don’t own an iPhone, a Droid device, or an iPad (hey, Apple: potential sponsorship opportunity here, people!) and therefore have had to request screen prints from the mobile apps that carry my reviews to approve anything they do with my content, since I can’t view the stuff in its native format. I know… I suck… Whatever.
You know the drill: you comment, and in one week I randomly select winners from the commenters! There will be three winners, each receiving one promo code each for a copy of Pocket Wine. Disclaimer: I’m giving away promo codes (here’s how to redeem them in the Apple App Store if you’re one of the lucky winners), not devices – and if you’re a winner you have to redeem your promo code by June 13th (or it turns back into a pumpkin… or at least stops working).
One thing I like about Pocket Wine is that it has (or seems to have, based on the screenprints!) a focus on developing and tracking your own personal taste preferences (see inset pic) – and we all know that I’m a pretty big fan of that approach, because it’s how I learned about wine in the first place. But it’s a player in what seems to be an increasingly crowded field of wine-related mobile apps.
So our topic for the comments: How do you feel about the plethora of mobile wine apps? Handy tools? Or just crapware taking up your precious mobile phone memory? Got any faves? Shout it out for a chance to win!
Cheers!
Comments
Jeff
I am still looking for a good wine app. The primary purpose I'm looking for is a way to keep track of the wines we have bought and whether we liked them or not. That way the next time we're at the store we don't have to guess. Until I find that app, Dropbox is working fine for me taking a photo of the bottle's label and putting it into a good or bad folder.
1WineDude
Thanks, Jeff – good idea for wine app folks out there… I’m guessing a CellarTracker.com app that linked into users’ CT databases would be pretty handy.
corkwineshop
What if your favorite wine shop automatically pushed all the wines you just carried out the door onto your mobile app with the ability for you to click on a rating of Love, Like, Hate, etc. Since all the wines are there, you don't have to enter data or spell the words or recall the vintage. And what if you could then send an instant message back to the shop after you tasted and loved something asking to order more? Would that make you more likely to shop at this place over another or would you take the data and go seek out the same wine at the cheapest price at a grocery store or discounter? Intrigued wine shop owners want to know!
1WineDude
@corkwineshop – I think for many people that would be a big deal-clincher in terms of repeat biz. Moore Bros. will set up an account for you on their website and automatically populate it with your recent purchases – a start, but does not go anywhere close to what you are suggesting. Would love to hear more from people on this one… maybe you/we should send the question out via twitter and facebook as well to see what people have to say?
Wayne
"because the only true sign of the approach of Rapture is (of course) a lanky guy in an all-white suit and white top hat wearing shades with red lights in them during the night time and getting his groove on with some funky dance moves"
I want to know if I'm the only one who got that reference… WITHOUT THE LINK!
1WineDude
Wayne – you may very well be… I am totally dating myself by even *including* that link, now that I think about it…! Cheers!
Steve Heimoff
The period at the end of this sentence is how much I care about the plethora of mobile wine apps. No, wait, that's not fair to the period.
1WineDude
Hey Steve – I give high props to the period ever since James Joyce chose it to end Ulysses. Wait a second… I think a few novels were concluded with periods before that… but he made it famous, right??? ;-)
BTW – it will pretty funny if you're one of the winners when all is said and done next week…!
Sugendran
Intriguing. Yet it doesn't do actual wine reviews – I want something I can use when I'm check out places for a first date ;)
1WineDude
Hey Sugendran! Been a long time, how's life down undah?
Good point about 1st-date-wine-ordering potential!
Cheers!
The Sediment Blog
Well, as long as it doesn't come across as an attempt to curry favour and win one of the apps, we think they're a jolly good idea. All that needs to happen is for our local supermarket to improve reception at the back of the store where they keep the wine, because at the moment it's impossible to use them there!!
1WineDude
Sediment – I hadn't though of that, but that's just about the worst place for bad cell reception when you've got one of these apps!
Amber
I think a good wine app would be a great tool for advanced wine drinker or someone that knows nothing and needs the help. A wine app that tracks reviews for a particular wine brand would the perfect tool for a person in the bizz like myself. I'm an office manager for a US importer and keeping track of reviews is a headache.
Cheers!
1WineDude
Thanks, Amber – I keep wondering why CellarTracker has not done this yet…
J.B. Bird
corkwineshop I live that idea. I've tried too many wine apps and none have cut it so far. Some, which I won't name (like Bottlenotes) totally blow.
One I've enjoyed is Wine Notes because it's free, easy to use, and easy to surf. It does not integrate with an online site, reviews, or user comments, so it's not the killer app, but it's a good (free) standalone to track your own preferences and keep a good wishlist.
And in answer to the questions starting this thread – wine apps are great, not a crapware – we're just waiting for the next best one.
1WineDude
Thanks, J.B. – I agree that it is better to have some choice and options in wine apps than it would be to have none, even if some of them are not quite ready for prime time. Cheers!
J.B. Bird
er, I meant LOVE that idea – but I hope I can live it also
1WineDude
Ok, I really need to get an iPhone or iPad now!