Actually, I'm trying to wrap my head around that $25,000 figure. Jay Miller was in Australia for 11 days. Let's see: $5K for business class tickets (can often get for much less, but let's assume Wines of Australia didn't bargain hunt) Another $5K for hotels - that's over $400/night for 12 nights. Nice hotels! Maybe an internal flight or two, probably a hired driver. $3K tops? That's a thousand a day for food. Holy Smokes! But it's even more extreme, as I think he was on the houseboat with his bud for a couple of days. More like $1300-1400 a day for food. Belly up to the table!
DaleW wrote in news:7e32e5c5-0d10-4fbd-9bed-2594f46311d9 @h23g2000vbc.googlegroups.com:
What a tough subject. To be frank, I dislike the behavior of Miller and Squires. I have always had a good perception of Robert Parker, even if I did not agree with all his tasting notes or his ratings. I thought he actually was a consumer's advocate.
But then I think he made a mistake in his expansion plans. If he was the leading critic for Bordeaux, the Rhone and California, so be it. But I do not see the need to relax the reputation of the publication trying to cover new wine areas. Reputation, and not a palate, is the main asset of a wine critic.
World is very interesting reading Parker for Bordeaux (I do not really care for California for lack of availability, nor the Rhone for the style), Allen Meadows for Burgundy (though he is quite predictable) and I would pay for a publication by David Schildknecht about Germany, Champagne and Loire. In fact, my bet is that David will leave TWA to start his own bulletin some day.
The critics of Spanish wines are so American that they do not make much sense. Guess the value that would have for the American market, a Spanish critic judging California wines by the stilistic standard of Australian Spoofulated Fruit Bombs.
That has always been the take on Arpee: you may or may not agree with his judgments, you may or may not like his personal character (those who know anything of it) but all basically agree that he is (was?) scrupulously careful about avoiding conflicts of interest in his reviewing. It has also been pointed out, though, that in recent years he's showered lavish praise on certain personalities who also routinely garner high points in TWA, casting into question perhaps his untainted character.
I agree completely.
You may well be right: David's coverage in TWA has apparently descreased since his early days, leading one to question how much he wishes to remain there.
Dr. Miller's critiques have certainly raised more than a few eyebrows. Who are your favorite critics of Spanish wines, Santiago?
I've got to agree with you Dale. I've been following this controversy on a few forums and I don't think one can be objective while recieveing money/trips/meals/etc. I think that the reviewers in question should disqualify themselves and resign since I personally would never trust their reviews as being unbiased or honest.
Dale 5K for rt Australia business is a fantastic deal. going in Winter Jfk to Mel would run 6K on Brititsh and about the same on Tahitit Nui from LAX. Summer fares to Australia run more to the tune of 8-9K for business. Your friendly Aussie Specialist Travel Agent.
OKit looks like September is a bonus month! $4500 for LAX to MEL but would this have been a trip for one? surely our intrepid reporter has a "secretary" girl friend or wife or sig other whose presence would be required. OK OK that isn't really the issue is it, truth is any, well many, of us would fly coach and forgo the houseboat if someone were to foot the bill.
Now of course the question is after suffering through this trip could one be critical?
Even though air to Australia has benefitted mightily from the additon of V Australia and Delta to the mix, I would have to agree that the trip cost is incredible (first class anyone?) and the objectivity loss is beyond calculation.
We will see how objective I can be about Le Cote St Jacques after my dinner in two weeks.
(Just for a comparison on the air. Air in January LAX SYD was running around $1800 coach, it is now around $600 in September)
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