Uncorked - even worth reading?

bacchaebabe · Post by **bacchaebabe** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 2:14 pm

I've noticed that Uncorked seems to be coming out about every two months now. It used to be a red issue and a white issue and carried some weight.

This current issue focusses on bubbly but I've never found it to be very in depth or anything even approaching complete. Its hardly a full round up of even new releases. Rather it just seems a vehicle to push along the sales of the very few wines it even mentions.

To be honest, it seems to be more full of ads and even food articles than a serious comment on wine.

Anyone else think it's lost the plot? Well maybe that's a bit harsh but I certainly pay it scant regard these days.

Murray · Post by **Murray** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 2:19 pm

Kris,

The bubbly issue of The Age/SMH is designed squarely to tap into the Spring Racing carnival in Mlebourne which is the peak trading period for bubbly in Victoria (ahead of NYE).

In terms of your other comments, I tend to agree it does appear to be lighter in weight than previously.

Popov · Post by **Popov** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 2:47 pm

While I like the idea of focusing on an variety/style (ie. bubbly in this case) I agree the issue does not seem as in depth as previous (last year) issues.
I dived in yesterday expecting a lot more than I got. It seemed like only about a dozen bottles in each category price level were recommended. Whilst I understand them not wanting hurt the book sales of the annual Penguin book, I think they can definitely include more than they did.
I like to you use it as some more knowledge of wines that I may not have tried yet.
Cheers
Popov

Dig · Post by **Dig** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 4:33 pm

Agree with Kris, it's a bit light weight these days, there are fewer price brackets, fewer wines in each and no varietal grouping. Used to look forward to it when it was a 'once a year' thing.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 11:51 pm

it has lost the plot for sure. Looked at one of this year's issue earlier and have not look at any future issue since.

Attila · Post by **Attila** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:09 am

I read most 'Uncorked" but with a caution. There are always several wines that I've tasted already from their published lists and if there is a notable difference of opinions between Huon, Ralp and myself, I won't go on buying certain wines based solely on their opinions. The Uncorked view can have a quite different angle to mine, so I only buy when they are absolutely ENTHUSIASTIC about a certain recommended wine.
Cheers,
Attila

Kendal · Post by **Kendal** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 6:21 pm

complaining about a free magazine! perhaps they should cancel it so you have one less thing to moan about

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 6:40 pm

Kendal wrote:complaining about a free magazine! perhaps they should cancel it so you have one less thing to moan about

Actually its not free as the only way you can get a copy is to buy the newspaper so you are paying for it there have a right to say what you like about it.

IMO as it becomes more frequent the less value it has become.

bacchaebabe · Post by **bacchaebabe** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 7:03 pm

Not complaining, just discussing.

The Good Living is my bible but uncorked has become a lot less interesting of late. It was never a bible but was a lot more thorough in the past.

Its an OK write up on bubblies but there's just not enough range covered in the other categories to really justify it saying that a certain wine is the best red or whatever.

That's sort of the point of a forum - to have discussions. :roll:

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 11:00 am

Kendal wrote:complaining about a free magazine! perhaps they should cancel it so you have one less thing to moan about

Not complaining. Just agreeing that it's now worth it's price, whereas in the past it's over-delivered...!

cheers,
Graeme