The Cork Report 2024 Editorial Calendar
Some thoughts on my 2023 calendar, an updated calendar, and paperless submission form
The Cork Report 2024 Editorial Calendar
For 2024, each month’s editorial focus will be:
January: Red Hybrid & Native Varieties (Due January 5)
February: Bordeaux Variety Reds & Blends (Due January 31)
Malbec, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and blends
March: White Hybrid & Native Varieties (Due February 29)
April: Cabernet Franc (Due March 31)
May: Rosé (Due April 30)
June: Riesling & Other Sparkling Wine (Due May 31)
Pet-Nat, Charmat, etc.
July: Sauvignon Blanc (Due June 30)
August: Chardonnay & Other White Vinifera (Due July 31)
Albarino, chenin blanc, gewurztraminer, etc.
September: Other Red Vinifera (Due August 31)
Lagrein, Syrah, Teroldego, etc.
October: Pinot Noir (Due September 30)
November: Sparkling Wine (Champagne Method) (Due October 31)
December: Year End Awards
To submit wines, please fill out my submission form.
Notes for 2024
Wine Storage and the End of Consolidated Shipping
When we finished our basement a couple of years ago, I carved out a corner for a small wine-storage room with a locking door (I have kids, after all). It’s not huge, but it’s enough room for my smaller personal collection and some space for samples that don’t fit into my office wine fridge. Not long after announcing my 2023 editorial calendar, there was wine stacked floor-to-ceiling in the room with barely enough room to open the door — plus piled up outside the door and all over the office floor too. I made the mistake of letting individual wineries and promotional organizations send me wines for multiple month’s of deadlines (for the whole year in some cases).
I can’t do that anymore. I understand wanting to save money on shipping, but I simply don’t have the right storage space to store wine for six-plus months before tasting it. And, many of the wines were sold out by the time I even tasted them. That’s not good for anyone.
No More Piles of Paper
My previous wine submission form, which (if it was completed) was inevitably printed out, filled out, and mailed to me. That’s wasteful and just too much wasted paper for the current times. From now on, any and all submissions should come through this online form.
Panel Tastings Are Cumbersome to Organize — But Valuable
My initial plan was to conduct three panel tastings during 2023. I was able to pull one together. As a one-man operation doing this part-time, while working to be a good parent two two kids, that’s just how it played out. I’m going to do panel tastings in 2024 but they may look a little different. Smaller categories like “Eastern Albariño” or “North For of Long Island AVA Merlot” will certainly be a part of the new strategy. I can pull those together much more easily and on shorter notice. That doesn’t mean I won’t do larger tastings — I hope to. But I’m not going to pre-schedule them the way I tried to this year.
I Can’t Extend Deadlines
One of the biggest challenges with my rosé reports in previous years and cabernet franc on this year was I was too lenient with submission deadlines. In my desire to be as inclusive and comprehensive as possible, I’ve always let people send wines late. I just can’t do it anymore. It creates a cascading of delays and logistical challenges for me.
Adding Annual Awards
A year from now, I’ll be focusing almost entirely on year-end awards and wrap-up stories. I’m still thinking through what awards I’ll be doing, but I’m thinking there will be a “Winery of the Year,” “Winemaker of the Year,” “Top X Wines of the Year” (not sure how deep to go on that,) as well as some other, less-common ideas.
Lenn - thanks for this - its clear and makes a lot of sense - my only angst is the November Sparkling date for all types - I would suggest an earlier month just for Pet Nat - as producers we generally are releasing them early in the year - and look to just make enough so that they are selling out each year - most of us will either be sold out or near so by November. Also - depending on winemakers methods and how "natural" they really are - these are drink now kinds of wine and shelf life varies for sure.