A question on netiquette

Because I am lacking in little gray cells, I have practically dropped out of university. So in addition to my part time job as an antiquarian book seller, I just started working part time for a wine importer. I do mathematics (bills and invoices and that sort of stuff) and have no say in policy or sales. So am I allowed to write about the wines that the company imports? I am a bit confused on this matter, because on the one hand I can understand that it is a sensitive matter yet on the other I also think it insulting towards the readers' intelligences if they aren't allowed to think for themselves (and here I am assuming they also know that I work for an importer).

So is posting TNs on the material a serious breach of netiquette, or am I allowed to do so if, e.g. I put an asterisk by wines that are imported by the company I work for and explain the asterisk in my signature?

You have a palate that approaches mine and have access to wines I don't see. Plus, I enjoy your style of tasting notes. I wouldn't mind at all reading about good discoveries from your new employer.

Hi Otto,
Post away my friend, just disclose your affiliation on wines your employer represents. Most of us are smart enuf to figgur out the rest.
'Winger

Well, each of us ITB (and ITB covers a wide range) struggles with this, Otto.

I resolve it (as each of us must, each in his or her own way) by setting up some personal guidelines. I always try to offer full disclosure when I find myself writing about my company's products---keeping in mind that not everyone knows you, and even when you're posting on a familiar board your communication might be going out to anybody. So when I'm talking about my 'product', I say something simple in the text (The company I work for.... or My company owns this winery...).

I also tend to restrain my comments on my own products. I don't by any means write up all my tasting notes and experiences, and don't generally talk about them too much. The exception is when someone pointedly asks me about certain products or certain aspects; then I'll expound more freely. That's because my purpose on this type of board is to learn from others and to engage in discussion, not to sell my products.

But beyond that, there are no netiquette requirements. Just because you are "in the business" doesn't mean you have to suspend your powers of observation.

Avoid shilling. maintain as strenuous an objectivity as you can, and call them as you see them.

Would we consider Bach or Mozart (were they alive) as not worthy of commenting on music because they were in the business of creating and profiting from music? (Not that I am putting you, me or anyone else to the comparative level of Bach and Mozart, mind you. )

I personally would be interested in hearing which wines are making it to your neck of the woods and why. To think that something I've seen made here is being consumed on a table there is fascinating. (And which wine goes best with which kind of sauna is another burning question I have.) Of course, your TNs are always interesting. Who cares whence the wine doth come? (Hoke I might not be as trusting of ... ) I doubt that your giving a good or a bad grade to a particular wine is going to help or hinder your importer's business with us ... unless, naturally, we all move to Finland some day or there is a clandestine Helsinski branch of the Otto Fan Club on the WLDG who might be swayed to come into your store.

I asked Robin this question, and to my recollection he said that as long as you are clear about professional associations there is no problem.

Well, I have to play Devil's Advocate here.

I find Otto's tasting notes very compelling, and I worry that I may have to drop everything, fly to Helsinki, and buy several cases of "the next Musar!"

Frank

As others have said, Otto, the usual modus operandi for ITB folk is to disclose that relationship, either in the body of the text, or in their sig. In your case, I doubt that many WLDGers would get worked up for two reasons:

1. As an employee of a Finnish importer (I presume), you stand to gain nothing financially by encouraging residents of other countries to buy "your" wines; in fact, it could work to your employer's disadvantage if the "Nieminen bounce"™ makes those wines hardly to obtain.

2. Given your taste in wines, your recommendations are likely to be most avidly read by the "Six sigma winegeeks," those rare individuals who seek out poop in their wine and who find wines raised in amphorae too spoofulated. I doubt that that audience will be taken in when you start shilling for Ch. Pavie.

Mark Lipton

I agree with everything said above.

But perhaps you should also post this query on ebob to get Squires to go on record.

Lest you fall the Way of Fass..

Rahsaan thinks.....But perhaps you should also post this query on ebob to get Squires to go on record.


Otto, don`t stop there. Spend some time dishing various Burgundy`s and see what happens!

[Robin Garr]

So is posting TNs on the material a serious breach of netiquette, or am I allowed to do so if, e.g. I put an asterisk by wines that are imported by the company I work for and explain the asterisk in my signature?

Otto, I'm late jumping in, mainly because others have covered the ground thoroughly. But as the Janitor of this Merrie Little Bande, let me join the chorus to make it official: Posting your usual frank and candid notes, <i>with disclosure</I> of those wines with which you have some connection, is perfectly all right.

In addition to the good points others have made, I would add one more: As a participating member in this community, you have earned the respect that makes us trust you, whether you're reporting on your own wines or others. I might not be so forgiving of a new participant who joins our group only to promote his or her wines, but this is no issue here.

In short, post on, and of course if we see you granting a 101-point rating to a Parkerized fruit bomb, we'll know what you are up to.

But perhaps you should also post this query on ebob to get Squires to go on record.

Lest you fall the Way of Fass..

Too scared to set foot there. Thanks for the permission - I'll indicate in the text if I'm somehow involved with any wine I write about.

-O-

...But perhaps you should also post this query on ebob to get Squires to go on record. / Lest you fall the Way of Fass..

I can't help noticing how extremely thoughtful and exemplary is Otto N's inquiry on this forum. The case could be used as an ideal of circumspection, for online reference writings about ITB-posting etiquette. To contrast with the far opposite extreme of people selling a new product (however meritorious it may be) who haunt discussion sites and change any casual mention of their product into a product question-and-answer session (resembling what on US TV is nicknamed an Infomercial), even on sites (like Squires) that prohibit this explicitly and offer separate fora for commercial topics. I have in mind a well known example, but of course dare not cite it to avoid attracting the same problem here.

Would we consider Bach or Mozart (were they alive) as not worthy of commenting on music because they were in the business of creating and profiting from music? (Not that I am putting you, me or anyone else to the comparative level of Bach and Mozart, mind you. )

Ah, but it's not quite the same, is it? When I see someone sign their name "Oliver", then "Oliver McCrum Wines" - especially if it's a winery, not an agent - there's your Bach and Mozart. (Not having tasted any of Oliver;s wines, I must add. )
Otto's position is surely more like Beethoven's publisher. Not that that's really any easier. "We've received shipments of the new symphony in C minor. Forceful, with plenty of personality. But I don't want to over-sell it because I'm ITB..."
cheers,
Graeme