What wine magazine do you like to read?

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Last week I added my set of eyeballs to the 2,831,00 affluent readers who scan the pages of Wine Spectator on a monthly basis. I’ve flipped through the mag on occasion, usually when killing time at Barnes and Noble and all the copies of Bearded Magazine have already been claimed by some other jaded hipsters.

In just one issue I’ve learned that I have very little in common with whoever the target market is for Wine Spectator. I mean, I’m young, and far from blind (for the time being.) 12.7″ x 9.7″ dimensions are annoying and cumbersome, although it makes for pretty pictures. I also couldn’t buy a reason in this world to spend $85 on the glass pitcher suggested in the gift guide, but I would pay to watch someone make that superfluous transaction.

And the ads are kinda lame. “Wines from somewhere in Spain, in a place whose name you’ll care to remember…” is a clever line, if I remembered the last time I read Don Quixote. I think I was ten. Maybe twelve. Does it matter? I just know that if I didn’t already like wines from La Mancha (Which I do,) this certainly wouldn’t make me think anything other than they targeted the slimmest of margins with a clever pun. Someone needs Don Draper, stat.

But there is one major exception to this disconnect: I am fanatical about wine. Flipping through a couple hundred tasting notes with a mug of coffee and a molasses cookie in hand is to me what Asian porn with decidedly different props is to most other 26 year old males on this planet: libidinous nirvana.

And although, blogs, RSS feeds, and interminable status updates make the news section as relevant as last month’s horoscope. The features are good, filled with plenty of peripheral knowledge that defines a wine enthusiast of any age, and provide plenty of leads for the endless pursuit of rabbit trails.

I can say that I’m surprised I haven’t subscribed sooner, I think wine magazines are still providing some great material to wine folk like us, even in this internet heavy age. Perhaps some of you agree. If so, what wine mag, or mags, do you subscribe to and why? (or perhaps, why not?)

Vidas

I stopped reading WS regularly once it transitioned from a wine centric publication to a “wine-style” lifestyle magazine. When its restaurant awards system was exposed as a sham didnt help its credibility. It’s tasting by consensus ratings at times elevated wines that were either unobtainable by mere humans or fostered uber wineries that consistently received big scores that my tastings never correlated with.

There are many wine publications, and now blogs, that seem more in line with wines that I like – in line with my palate so to speak. Two that I’ve read for decades now are the Wine Advocate and the Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine. Much Parker-hating exists and I place alot of the blame for today’s high alcohol wine trend on his shoulders – yet the fact that his style influences winemaking today for me makes him a must read.
Grape Sense

I subscribe to Wine Spectator for many of the reasons you liked and disliked. The features are great and clearly written by knowledgable authors. The reviews make good reading but I never remember a word. WS obviously has the resources and reputation to gain access where few of us can reach. For that reason, I scan my copy when it arrives in the mail and read a few of the features.
Anonymous

You’re a smart guy, Vidas. It annoys me that people try to crucify Mr. Parker every chance they get. I love the wine aspect of WS, but you said it: the lifestyle aspect of it is certainly grating.
Anonymous

That’s what journalism does, gives you experience you can’t otherwise obtain. I appreciate it for that reason, too.
The Wine Economist

I asked my students to evaluate three important wine magazines. You might be interested to see their reactions. Here a link to the post on The Wine Economist.
http://wineeconomist.com/2009/12/06/which-wine-magazine/
Vidas

Well done ! I like the Decanter as well although I do not share the stereotypical British wine palate which Decanter defaults to at times.
Vidas

I like Parker for his Old World palate, ie Bordeaux, Rhone and Burgundy. I dislike his New World palate, ie the highly alcoholic and extracted styles of wine that seems to come out of Australia and the US as a response to Parkers preferences. There’s a conflict here that few have addressed. Bordeaux wines tend to be low in alcohol – yet receive great ratings. US cabs, zin, syrah even pinots that are highly regarded sit in direct opposition to the Old World. They’re high in alcohol, extraction, unfiltered and are difficult to taste when young – if ever.

I appreciate the compliment Sam. Let’s all hope that doesn’t translate into me posting more often …I tried blogging and thought I was boring as hell…
Anonymous

You should try it again, or perhaps guest post here! Your comments are always a great addition. Blogging is a lot like soccer, or football, if you will. A lot of boring toddling about forever, then bam!
Anonymous

Great article, thanks for the link, Mike! I read the online Decanter, but like you point out, it’s very Brit market driven which has little to do with me here in the Windy City. Plus I don’t drink a lot of Bordeaux.
http://sacrebleuwine.com/ Galen Struwe

Mutineer Magazine is far and away the freshest content on not only wine but beverage overall.
Alan

Hells yes.
Anonymous

Perhaps a subscription should be one of my new years resolution.

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