Last week, Jim of JVB Uncorked won Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #26 (#MWWC26) and just like all previous winners of the Challenge, his “reward” was to choose the theme for the following Challenge (in this case #MWWC27).

A few of us started the Monthly Wine Writing Challenge a couple of years ago with the desire to promote more creative wine writing. The thought was that we get caught up in tasting notes, winery visits, and the occasional food porn and we soon forget that part of the reason we put in all the hours that we do on these silly blogs is that we love to write!

Last month’s theme was certainly not an easy one, in fact for me it was perhaps the most challenging theme we have had thus far. One does not normally think of the word “solitude” when it comes to wine appreciation (or at least I don’t). That is perhaps why Jim chose this month’s theme, although I can’t be entirely sure of that. It could be that Jim (whom I have known for a couple of years now) is just more of a bootlicker than I ever realized.

You see, the theme he chose this month should be right down my alley. When it comes to wine, I probably think about and use this word more than any other in the English language. You would think, therefore, that this month’s Challenge should already be in the bag, and I should already be accepting accolades for winning. Well, nothing could be further from the truth as I have absolutely no idea in what direction this month’s theme will take me.

The theme?

In case you didn’t quite get it, the theme is “Bubbles” (I could not find any word art, but I figured you were a bright enough crowd to figure it out). A quick note: I had to push back the deadline a bit for a couple of reasons: Labor Day falls naturally where the next deadline would occur and I figured you all will be far too bombed out of your mind to write. But that also means I will be in Italy when the deadline occurs, but I promise to be vigilant getting out the vote (but might also need some courtesy if it is a tad late–you know, the whole Italian thing).

A quick recap of the rules:

The rules

1. The Challenge is open to anybody and everybody. It helps if you have a blog, but that is certainly not a requirement (contact me if this is the case).
2. Write a post based on this month’s theme: “BUBBLES”.
3. The post should be at least tangentially related to wine (after all, it is the name of the challenge).
4. The post should be more or less around 1000 words (I routinely violate this rule, so it is just there as a “guide”).
5. Include the Monthly Wine Writing Challenge badge (above) that was designed by the very first winner, The Armchair Sommelier.
6. Remember to vote!
7. Once you post on your blog, please do at least two of the following and I will be sure to include a link  on all subsequent posts about this month’s challenge:
   1. Include a link back to this post in your entry.
      
   2. Use the hashtag #MWWC27 somewhere in your post.
   3. Tweet, using the #MWWC27 hashtag and include a link back to your post.
   4. Send me an email: jeff(at)thedrunkencyclist(dot)com

The all important dates:

Deadline for submission:  Monday, September 12th, 2016

Voting Begins: Tuesday, September 13th, 2016

Voting Ends:  Monday, September 19th, 2016

Winner Announced:  Tuesday, September 20th, 2016

Previous winners:

If you’re looking for some inspiration here are the links to the previous winning posts:

MWWC1 – Transportation

The Armchair Sommelier

MWWC2 – Trouble

My Custard Pie

MWWC3 – Possession

The Wine Kat

MWWC4 – Oops

Confessions of a Wine Geek

MWWC5 – Feast

The drunken cyclist

MWWC6 – Mystery

The SAHMmelier

MWWC7 – Devotion

The Sweet Sommelier

MWWC8 – Luck

The drunken cyclist

MWWC9 – Fear

The Sybarite

MWWC10 – Value

Dracaena Wines

MWWC11 – Friend

Armchair Sommelier

MWWC12 – Local

Talk-a-Vino

MWWC13 – Serendipity

Duff’s Wines

MWWC14 – Tradition

Cheap Wine Curious

MWWC15 – Success

JVB Uncorked

MWWC16 – Finish

The Wine Raconteur

MWWC17 – Epiphany

Wayward Wine

MWWC18 – Crisis

Traveling Wine Chick

MWWC19 – Choice

Frankly Wine

MWWC20 – Variety

JVB Uncorked

MWWC21 –Pairing

L’Occasion

MWWC22 – Second Chance

(Un)Common Grape

MWWC23 – New

The Drunken Cyclist

MWWC24 – Pleasure

Cheap Wine Curious

MWWC25 – Travel

Traveling Wine Chick

MWWC26 – Solitude

JVB Uncorked

Please contact me if you have any questions: jeff (at) thedrunkencyclist (dot) com