The Hows and Whats of Reviews

Posted by dave

wine in holder

I’ve decided to write up some ground rules on reviews of equipment and drinks. Since I am in no way an expert on all things mixology, I wanted to set up an expectation of what you can hope to get from anything you may read. So here’s what’s up.

Keep your friends close, your drink closer

First rule - I promise to be sipping whatever I am reviewing at the time I review it. That will guarantee at least some measure of authenticity to the content I spew forth on the page. Further, I won’t speak too heavily of the common measures of wine/beer/other drink testing - that is, I won’t do too much sniffing and swishing and spitting, etc. Rather, the review will be that of a man relaxing with a drink, unfettered by whatever traditions usually dictate the appropriate review procedure.

Further, these are not paid endorsements - although it may seem that way, since I’ll usually only post that which I like. For instance, the first review - coming later this fine evening - will be my personal favorite of red wines.

All this means is that in short, you’re reading the rantings of a man who likes his alcohol. I’m a traditionalist - I don’t appreciate too much of a deviation from the norm when it comes to a brew or a wine, so a lot of what you’ll find here will be of a traditional sort. However, I do promise to take this as an opportunity to expand my understanding of the alcohol universe.

This will never be a site for those who are interested in the name and exact geo-locational coordinates of the vineyard that every grape came from, the color of said grape, its consistency and skin thickness, and growing seasons. Instead, this will hopefully become somewhere you can find a good wine to bring to the inlaws for dinner, without getting chastised for picking up a bottle with a screw cap.

Stuff, not of the drink variety

I’m also going to try to review some fun barware. Things of this variety will be a bit more difficult to get my hands on on a regular basis, but I’ll be sure to try to get some stuff every now and again. Once The Bar Project launches, I can’t promise that I won’t be reviewing products available in the store. Shameless self-promotion is part of the game, right?

The rules, for those who missed them

One last time. I am not an expert, and I will be sharing non-expert opinions with you on no particular time table. I highly encourage sending in your own suggestions - I’ll be sure to try to get my hands on anything you recommend, and will review it for the site.

Anyway, those are the basic ground rules. Here’s to good reviews.

Posted in General