The Auswine Forum

With the increased activity from members (and non-members) on this Forum the last few weeks, including myself , I was wondering what changes people to become a "poster" rather than just continue to "lurk" in the background?

Speaking for myself, I joined this Forum a little over a year ago on 5th May 2004. However, it took another 6 months before I made my first post in this forum (considering there are 395 current members who still have not made a single post ... I do not feel that bad ). Now admitedly, I had been "lurking" for over a year before I joined, and had enjoyed reading all the information regarding tasting notes, new releases, and other sundry wine stuff. Up until this point I felt that with my limited wine knowledge (which is still very limited I might add), I really couldn't add anything of value to this forum.

But a topic came up regarding Petaluma "Tiers" Chardonnay in November last year that changed that. Now for the record, I am definitely a red bigot like Brian and TORB, but the query was regarding the price of this wine in the US. Now since I had lived in the US for nearly 6 years, this was a topic I thought I could add some value to. Now this topic may seem unimportant, and looking back it probably was, but this was the topic that "broke the ice" for me. After that initial foray, it became easier to post. Although I still haven't posted any "detailed" tasting notes yet, I am slowly working my way up to that.

But I have learnt that it doesn't matter how much wine knowledge you have, if you are an expert, or just starting to get into wine, this forum is a very valuable resource. And it will only survive if we ALL continue to add our experiences and thoughts to it. If you haven't become a member yet, or more importantly, if you haven't made a single post on this forum, I encourage you to do so. Not only will we benefit from your opinions/thoughts but you will also by the feedback you receive.

So what about you, what subject broke the ice for you? Or are you still a lurker waiting for that ice-breaker topic so that you can add value to this forum too?

AJ

AJ,

Great topic but you need another voting option. "It was so long ago I can't remember."

Started posting on Winepros (made a goose of myself due to my limited knowledege of wine - still is), was referred to Winestar/Starforum and Auswine by Ric which was not long after Starforum kicked off in a similar format to the current Auswine forum. Mostly posted on Starforum for a while, again making a goose of myself - and was paid out on occasionally. Too many posters began the French wine thing that's generally beyond my means and anyway I'm happy drinking only Australian wine. Starforum became too cliquey for me so I've found myself spending more time at Auswine which has become my first-choice forum to post on.

Mostly lurk but do occasionally post.

Oh, it was a general interest in wine and related subjects that led me to join Winepros where I encountered Ric, so it's all his fault and I'll bet he's forgotten .

Cheers

daz

Daz,

I have no trouble getting ducks to sell in the shop but geese are hard to find and I am always on the look out for them; so no I had not forgotten.

TORB throwing down the gauntlet! And I'm glad he did too!

Good question.

Anonymous wrote:Good question.

Hasn't worked for you though?

Like some of the other posters here, I wasn't posting because how much could a relative newcomer to the world of "fine wine", living in the US, contribute to an Aussie forum that is heavy into OZ offerings? I didn't want to either embarass myself or look like a complete idiot, so by not posting, you avoid both of those. I do make it to OZ annually on business and am definitely expanding my knowledge, and with beter knowledge comes confidence, so while I probably won't become a posting demon, at least now the ice has been broken.

For me, the Forum is a an interesting and valuable avenue for learning more about one of my favorite interests in one of my very favorite countries.

Gavin, I'm most disappointed I'll be missing you in Chicago, but here's hoping we can meet in Adelaide when I'm there in November.

Gavin Trott wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good question.

Hasn't worked for you though?

Nope- I do my dirty work elsewhere

The fact that I found a place where other wine nuts discuss wine stuff was enough, and that place was the old Auswine forum, so I voted "A general discussion on a wine subject"

Adair

I have been reading the forums for a few months after I stumbled across it whilst ordering some wine from Auswine (including a case of the reserve shiraz cleanskin which was bloody fantastic BTW).

I have been wary of posting due to my lack of knowledge in comparison to some of you guys but have now started posting following TORB's urging for all lurkers to post in last week's drinking reports.

Love the forum - hopefully I don't ask too many stupid questions

Craig

Hypnotoad wrote:Love the forum - hopefully I don't ask too many stupid questions

Craig,

No such thing as a stupid question; just (stupid) people who remain in the dark because they don't seek answers.

I must admit, i never really was a lurker, i have posted since i found this forum even if it is usually only in the weekly drinking reports. I found this forum the same day i registered thanks to Ric and his website.

Cheers Ric!

TORB wrote:Daz,

I have no trouble getting ducks to sell in the shop but geese are hard to find and I am always on the look out for them; so no I had not forgotten.

Almost ducked that post Ric but thought it too fine a gaggle!

daz

TORB wrote:No such thing as a stupid question; just (stupid) people who remain in the dark because they don't seek answers.

You're forgetting the chronically shy.

Was always a lurker since days of old (wrote a few posts in Winepros but I forgot my login name so haven't posted on forums since) but it is amazing what 8 months out of the country in England does to you.

All I have for solace is the Peter Lehman 2002 Shiraz at $11.50 (equivalent) to ease the pain...

Perhaps another topic worthy of consideration would be "What made you change from Poster to Lurker?"

Hypnotoad wrote:I have been reading the forums for a few months after I stumbled across it whilst ordering some wine from Auswine (including a case of the reserve shiraz cleanskin which was bloody fantastic BTW).

I have been wary of posting due to my lack of knowledge in comparison to some of you guys but have now started posting following TORB's urging for all lurkers to post in last week's drinking reports.

Love the forum - hopefully I don't ask too many stupid questions

Craig

Totally off-topic but thumbs up on the Hypnotoad.