Is this not fraud?
NZPA report:
An Australian wine writer’s latest book recommends several New Zealand wines, some of which had not even been bottled when it was released.
While reviewing Matt Skinner’s The Juice 2010 in August, The Listener’s wine writer Michael Cooper noticed the review copy had been released earlier than some of the wines it described.
“So, how could they have been tasted by Skinner, who lives in Australia, chosen as his best buys and gone through the whole writing, editing, printing, promotional process before someone like me in New Zealand has tasted them?” Cooper asked.
Cooper contacted the book’s British publisher and was told previous editions had been criticised for being out of date, so this time they decided to confirm the vintage and price ahead of time.
“Just one problem, Matt: you haven’t tasted the wine,” Cooper wrote.
I think authorities should treat this as a case of fraud. Skinner is selling a book purporting to be based on someone having sampled the wine.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Yes, I think it’s fraud.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Unless the writer claims to have tasted the wines the test must be is he correct.
Is he?
October 29th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Every day in New Zealand some men in funny clothes claim they can magically transform wine in to blood. I have tasted both, it is a con. Is this fraud? Should they be prosecuted?
I think the authorities sholud treat THIS as a case of fraud.
[DPF: Off topic trolling 10 demerits]
October 29th, 2009 at 9:33 am
To quote that commie wanka ‘It’s the most forgivable kind of fraud’.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:40 am
As long as bookstores sell it as fiction then there is no problem.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am
kick back city
October 29th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Can’t tell untill we see his expenses claim.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Perhaps he visited the wineries and had barrel/tank samples. Not trying to defend him, but am more intrigued with Cooper’s bleating about “…before someone like me in New Zealand has tasted them?” I’ve tasted wines that won’t be released until next year.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
It’s not so bad if there is a comprehensive a bib-lie-ography at the back of the book.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Good point bearhunter. I’ve had wine direct from the barrels both in NZ and overseas…
October 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Is that the famous Craig of the NZ Wine Fan Club?