Because… well… THIS:
Wine geeks and wine pros are taking it on the chin right now (for a hilarious and totally NSFW example, have a listen to this podcast by Internet comedy icon Maddox). We are accused of just about everything uncool, from being fond of snobbery to displaying nepotism to having bullsh*t jobs to engaging in major douchebaggery.
The image problem, though, is understandable, particularly when we have things like the Lalique “100 Points” leather briefcase by James Suckling and Salvatore Ferragamo, available for $8500 USD. At least you get a couple of bottles of wine with it. Go ahead, watch the video on James’s website. And if you order one, do me a favor and unsubscribe from my blog, okay?
James, why are you doing this to us, bro???
Fellow geeks, please make a good name for yourselves and other wine nerds by not carrying personal stemware around unless there’s a life-changing wine drinking experience expected that evening.
Also, please, please, please don’t wear scarves inside the house!
Cheers!
Comments
Zoeldar
Bravo! I had seen the whole Ferragamo thing a few days ago, and was flabbergasted. Wasn't sure how to respond, and I think you've nailed it. Nicely done.
Z
1WineDude
Thanks, Z. I know that my tirade changes nothing, bit it made me feel better for a few minutes.
vtwinemedia
http://www.jamessuckling.com/uploads/blog_images/…
I can't help but take notice that while nice for the photo op, carrying the bottles loaded into the case that way will only insure that sediment collects in the neck and then go all snow-globe when righted for opening.
Are we reaching peak wine douchebag?
1WineDude
VT – it ain't making us look good, that's for sure…
Nova C.
Hi Joe,
Point taken on the Ferrangamo box however I think you can make a few exceptions.
1) RE: Personal Stemware – For college issued personal stemware for vit/enology students. I had to carry around two plastic cases with my glasses encased in foam for my years at Cornell. It was practical for the university because it left the students in charge of maintaining their own glassware.
2) RE: Scarves inside – I think it would probably be ok for women to wear scarves inside right?
I always enjoy your references to douchebaggery. It is rampant in our industry but kudos to you for remaining above it. :)
Cheers!
1WineDude
Thanks, Nova. You're right, of course, it really all depends on the context and intention.
David Vergari
It pleases me no end to see ex-NFL Quarterback Mr. Ferragamo doing well.
1WineDude
David – :-)
Tim Hanni
Damnit. I just laid out $3.97 for my WalMart vinyl wine tote.
1WineDude
Tim – Dude, that's, like, at least $0.97 too expensive!
Cigar Inspector
lol, I love the scarf indoors =D I guess I can see why people react negatively to certain behaviors; it does tend to put up a barrier.
1WineDude
Cigar – sorry, I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about there… ;-) Seriously, the whole thing (the concept, the price, the focus on “perfect/100 point” wines, the scarf… it’s just too much distancing all happening at once!
Nick
OK a few things.
1. 4800 Euros is not $8500 US. It's more like $6000 ish. So…. what gives? https://www.google.com/webhp?q=4800+euros+in+USD#…
2. This is really hilarious. A lot of people don't go broke selling to the 1% though. Haters are gonna hate. Ditto for the scarf.
3. I defy anyone to actually watch that full video all the way through without skipping!
1WineDude
Nick – I might watch the entire vid if someone pays me 4800 euros to do it.
Bob Henry
For $85 instead of $8,500, you can buy this:
http://www.winevine-imports.com/riedel-wine-glass…
That $85 expenditure makes you a "1 percenter" . . . budgetwise.
The only guy I ever met who successfully pulled off the scarf-worn-indoors look is Bordeaux owner Count Stephan von Neipperg.
Photo:
https://www.google.com/search?q=count+stephan+von…
1WineDude
OK, Bob, we'll give the Count a pass. But he's a Count, so he could also get away with a cape and sceptre.
Bob Henry
Dude!
You awarded yourself an EXTRA POINT on the self-aggrandizing "user reputation score" (goldenrod-colored oval next to your moniker) — from "120p" to "121p"?
Oh man, I can just hear the brickbat comments now . . .
1WineDude
Bob – ha! That reminds me, I should probably figure out how to turn that stuff off…
MyrddinGwin
To be perfectly honest, I did think the wines might've been a decent-ish investment for the purchase price (including LCBO level markups), until I realised that you get only two of the five. For carrying wines, I have this newfangled item described as "boxes". As for the glasses, when I need to bring them (to class, mostly), I also have a box, decorated with a picture of a candle and a rabbit.
Also, if you've been invited to a wine tasting, unless they request you bring your own glasses, isn't it bad form to assume they don't have glasses or that they'd be inappropriate? I see it a bit like a Thanksgiving dinner you've been invited to and you bring your own side-dishes, and when the host asks why, since there are plenty of side-dishes he or she has prepared already, you go ahead and accuse his or her sweet potatoes as being for Commies.
Finally, there is an appropriate time I can think of to have a scarf on indoors–when you're leaving the house when it's really cold outdoors and you're zipping up your winter jacket. I suppose the inverse, when you're taking off the outwear when coming back indoors, is also acceptable, and you're allowed to take the coat, boots, and/or hat off, first. Also, if you've got tracheostomy scars, or have a hickey and/or have been bitten by a vampire, it might also be appropriate. That's about all I can think of at the moment, though.
1WineDude
MG – Vampire exception noted!
John K.
I sometimes use my sample carrier (padded nylon wheelie) to transport stemware to professional tastings where we need to bring our own. I admit I feel kind of douchey carrying it around – I usually make a mad dash from car to door and back.
1WineDude
John – yeah, but it doesn’t cost you eight grand to do it, does it? :)
Bob Henry
For $8,500 does the wine glass portmanteau come with a Porter / Valet ?
@TheBritWits
Haha, I love this. Too true. Another example of the minority making things difficult for the majority. I have to say, as a young wine enthusiast (23 yo) who writes for a wine magazine, i'm really trying to get the 'younger' generation involved with wine on a more serious level than something to drink before a night out. Proving difficult when folks like this come along though…
1WineDude
Brit – indeed!
Bill Haydon
James Suckling is a douchebag is not news. James Suckling is a fun guy you'd like to have a few drinks with would be stop the presses news.
1WineDude
Bill, he was pretty charming actually when I interviewed him a couple of years ago…