Wine Blog Awards

Posted on May 20, 2013 by the drunken cyclist

WBA-2013-Finalist-Logo-(Writing)-copyAs I was settling into work this morning (as much as anyone “settles” into work on a Monday), I received a tweet from @SAHMmelier congratulating me on being a finalist for a Wine Blog Award. I was a bit confused since the nomination period was several weeks ago and I wondered why she would be contacting me now.

Then it hit me–she was not congratulating me for being nominated but rather for being a finalist. So, I did what I assume every other relatively normal person would do–I dropped everything and headed over the the Wine Blog Awards website to see for myself.

There it was, two thirds of the way down the page.

Best Writing On a Wine Blog:

Finalists:

I was floored. Sure, once I was nominated, I thought about being chosen as a finalist, but I saw that as about as likely as my wife letting me go out on a date with Penelope Cruz (I could probably convince Penelope–it is just my wife that is preventing it). There it was, though. I even clicked on the link to make sure that it went to my site (it did).
Then I looked at the others nominees: Meg Maker, Jameson Fink, the Hosemaster (who is a finalist for 13 awards this year–even though there are only seven)?? Anyone who has been around wine blogging for a while has certainly heard of these writers and there I was right with them.

I have watched award shows for years and I always thought that the oft used refrain “Just an honor to be nominated” was a line used by those who either lost or expected to lose. I also thought the “I want to congratulate the other nominees” was just an effort by the winner to not make the others feel too horrible for losing. In other words, I thought it was all a bunch of crap. While I am certainly not equating being nominated for a Wine Blog Award with any of the awards shows I have spent far too much time watching–I do think I understand a bit now what those people were saying.

I do feel honored for being nominated and I am truly humbled to be included in the same category with those other bloggers.

Really.

I did a little research (on my lunch hour, of course) and here are the criteria for the award, also known as “the reason I have no shot at winning”:

Best Writing On a Wine Blog:

Criteria:

  1. Should put the English language to great use. (English language? “Great use”? Not entirely sure what that means, but I do use the English language a lot, so if that is the meaning of “great”….)
  2. Should write with a demonstrably original voice that conveys a personal style. (I might be OK with this one)
  3. Should consistently demonstrate a command of the English language to convey original, insightful and entertaining messages. (“Command of the English language”? How is that different from #1? Can one put English to “great use” but still not have a “command” of it? “Original”? Sure. “Entertaining”? Maybe. “Insightful”? Well, two out of three is not all that bad….)

So if you haven’t done so already, take a look around this blog and read a bit.  If you like my writing, you can vote here:

WIne Blog Awards 2013

If you do not feel like voting for me, you can opt out by going here:

Voting Opt Out

Thanks to all of those who vote (whether for me or for one of the others–I think I really actually mean that, too).

Voting ends this Friday, 5/24.

About the drunken cyclist

I have been an occasional cycling tour guide in Europe for the past 20 years, visiting most of the wine regions of France. Through this "job" I developed a love for wine and the stories that often accompany the pulling of a cork. I live in Houston with my lovely wife and two wonderful sons.
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56 Responses to Wine Blog Awards

  1. the winegetter says:
    May 20, 2013 at 17:23

    Congrats!! So very well deserved! Just voted for you.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Red Wine Lovers says:
    May 20, 2013 at 18:08

    This is a wonderful acclaim. Congratulations on a job well-done. We enjoy reading your work!

    Like

    Reply
  3. D' Vine Wine Time says:
    May 20, 2013 at 18:15

    Congrats fellow wine blogger! Great job getting added to such a list! I wish you the best of luck….I won’t be at WBC13 this year, but hope to see some new faces winning awards….yours included! A Toast to Success!

    Like

    Reply
  4. seetinarun says:
    May 20, 2013 at 18:17

    Congratulations! How wonderful – and well deserved – off to vote now!

    Like

    Reply
  5. Ted slack says:
    May 20, 2013 at 18:18

    Way to go Jeff, you must be thrilled with this given the amount of effort you have put into this!

    Ted

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    Reply
  6. harmonystable says:
    May 20, 2013 at 19:18

    I want to be just like you, my wine blog hero.

    ~Kirsten

    Like

    Reply
  7. Frank says:
    May 20, 2013 at 20:32

    A big congrats – well done!

    Like

    Reply
  8. DrinkWhatYouLike says:
    May 20, 2013 at 20:32

    Congrats – very well done!

    Like

    Reply
  9. Stefano says:
    May 20, 2013 at 21:38

    Way to go, Jeff: well done and definitely well deserved! Now you’re officially in Wine Olympus – and by the way, do they really serve retsina up there??? 😉
    Seriously: good job, Man.

    Like

    Reply
  10. runcolbyrun says:
    May 20, 2013 at 21:48

    Bravo! Bravo! Well done! I’m about to Rock the Vote. Good luck!

    Like

    Reply
  11. SAHMmelier says:
    May 20, 2013 at 22:10

    Well deserved and happy to help start out your week in a good, albeit confusing, way!

    Like

    Reply
  12. vinovintage1 says:
    May 20, 2013 at 22:51

    Awesome! Voting now!

    Like

    Reply
  13. Oenophilogical says:
    May 20, 2013 at 23:14

    Fantastic! Very much deserved.

    Like

    Reply
  14. myweeklywine says:
    May 21, 2013 at 03:22

    Congrats – have voted (for you)

    Like

    Reply
  15. armchairsommelier says:
    May 21, 2013 at 05:43

    Congratulations, Jeff! Wunderbar news!! Please tell me you’ll be sabering a magnum of Champagne to celebrate . . . Salud!

    Like

    Reply
  16. aFrankAngle says:
    May 21, 2013 at 06:57

    Well done … congrats!

    Like

    Reply
  17. Laura Malone says:
    May 21, 2013 at 07:56

    Yay! Just voted for you — hope you win (what do you win, by the way?) Now share some Champagne with Tammy.

    Like

    Reply
    • the drunken cyclist says:
      May 22, 2013 at 09:30

      As far as I know, I do not “win” anything. I can’t remember if there is even a little statue thingy. I always share champagne with Tammy (although I do drink some of hers when she isn’t looking).

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      Reply
  18. thewineraconteur says:
    May 21, 2013 at 08:42

    Jeff,
    Congratulations and you deserve the accolades. I just finished casting my vote and I was happy to do it. Keep up the good work. Champagne is in the near future for you.
    – John

    Like

    Reply
  19. ALO2071 says:
    May 21, 2013 at 09:00

    Totally awesome! Congratulations!

    Like

    Reply
  20. lolabees says:
    May 21, 2013 at 10:45

    I originally chose to opt out, but I didn’t want to go there, so I voted for you. Very clever. I will have to steal that idea if I ever need votes in the future. Congrats!

    Like

    Reply
  21. wineismylife says:
    May 21, 2013 at 10:47

    Congratulations!

    Like

    Reply
  22. Duff's Wines says:
    May 21, 2013 at 14:07

    Awesome. I really enjoy your stuff.

    Like

    Reply
  23. winingdaily says:
    May 21, 2013 at 16:01

    Congrats man you got my vote!

    Like

    Reply

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  26. Whine And Cheers For Wine says:
    May 22, 2013 at 13:11

    CONGRATS-so happy for you. I am voting now 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  27. kvjinc says:
    May 23, 2013 at 07:48

    Congratulations.

    Like

    Reply
  28. binNotes© says:
    May 25, 2013 at 12:23

    Ok…so if..I mean WHEN you collect your award, you need to drive south for a celebratory pour at the tasting room…except I’ll be in RRV drinking pinot 🙂

    Like

    Reply

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