Top Wine Blogger Joins the ClassicWinescom Team

Released on: March 19, 2008, 12:25 pm

Press Release Author: Matthew Apsokardu

Industry: Food & Beverage

Press Release Summary: Michael Zimberg, one of the net's earliest and most prolific
wine bloggers, has joined a growing team of columnists on the popular website
ClassicWines.com.

Press Release Body: Chester, PA -Michael Zimberg, creator of the blog What Would
Mikey Drink, has agreed to be the newest columnist at ClassicWines.com, a site
dedicated to providing original content and wine information to visitors. Zimberg
has written unique wine reviews on his blog since 2005, putting him on the forefront
of the wine blog explosion. Now he intends to provide readers of ClassicWines.com
with a new tasting entry every day of the work week.

"Michael's passion and enthusiasm for wine is evident in his writing," says Mark
Spangler, Vice President of ClassicWines.com. "We feel his ability to calculate
consumer friendly scores and communicate his wine experiences will make him an asset
to the Classic Wines editorial department and help lead a new generation of
consumers."

Zimberg utilizes a unique, letter-based grading system for each wine he reviews. As
he explains- "I apply a grade-school type letter to each wine based on its current
value (A, B, C, D, and F). A $100 wine should rock, conversation centering solely on
the wine. A $50 wine should be as memorable as a beautiful work of art. A $10 wine I
enjoy might get an A grade, while a $75 wine that is better (relatively) gets a B-
because it is weaker than other $75 wines. Region and rarity also play a factor."
Zimberg's departure from the standard Robert Parker 100 point system has already
intrigued many readers of the site and has prompted conversation and counter-grades
to crop up in the comments section of his entries.

What Would Mikey Drink, Zimberg's original blog, will continue to operate while he
writes for ClassicWines.com. Some entries will appear on both sites, but the
majority will be exclusive to Classic Wines. When asked how he intends to keep up
with an 'everyday' pace, Zimberg replied "I try to write a review for every wine I
try that I haven\'t already reviewed. Most nights we open something." In regards to
how he chooses those bottles each night, Zimberg explains "I choose wines based on
bottles I am given, bottles in my 800 bottle (and growing) collection, things
recommended by retailers and wholesalers I trust, and some things I learn about from
various wine publications, including Robert Parker, Steven Tanzer, Classic Wines,
Alan Meadows, the Wine Spectator, and Karen MacNeal."

Zimberg's credibility stems from his enthusiasm, interaction with the wine
community, and introduction into the wine world at an early age. "I had a \'76 La
Tache with my brother at the Flagstaff House in Boulder when I was 9 years old that
stuck with me even to this day. Just a sip, but it was amazing." With a family
deeply entrenched in wine culture, and by tenaciously reading all of the wine
resources he could acquire, Michael grew up to have a very keen palate and ability
to articulate what he was tasting. As his wife observes, "Mikey has an amazing
sense of taste and always knows the perfect thing to drink- whether it\'s beer,
champagne, scotch or wine."

Wine blogs are appearing very rapidly and new ones crop up or fizzle out everyday.
It is an indication of renewed interest in the beverage and a sense that the "online
generation" is preparing to embrace wine. When asked why he thought Michael Zimberg
would stand out among the crowd, Mark Spangler of Classic Wines replied, "Mike will
take a $5 bottle of wine one day, and then surprise you with a rare vintage priced
at $1000 the next. He factors price points into his ratings, thereby giving
consumers of all levels and expertise the ability to feel comfortable with his
scoring system, regardless of the price point. His style of unbiased wine tastings
is something we feel every wine site should have."

Classic Wines article section: http://www.classicwines.com/wine-articles
Michael's Blog: http://www.whatwouldmikeydrink.com/

--- --- ---

About ClassicWines.com - Now in its third year, Classic Wines is a place for people
passionate about wine to explore, learn, and make purchases from online merchants.
The company derives its revenue from advertisers, offering its services free of
charge to consumers. The company is based in Pennsylvania and is committed to
serving its growing audience of wine lovers. Contact Matthew Apsokardu (mapsokardu
AT classicwines.com) for more information.


Web Site: http://www.classicwines.com

Contact Details: 1350 Edgmont Avenue
Chester, PA 19013
610-619-0062

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