Tastemaker Eve Bushman
What do you do? First and foremost I taste wine, then I drink what
I like, I socialize, then I socialize some more as the “taste”
becomes the “drink”, finally, I blog, Facebook and Tweet all about
it.
How did you get started in the “wine scene”? I’d been writing an
“Eve of Destruction” column in my local newspaper for 14 years.
Generally having fun poking fun. About 5 years ago they asked me
what else I could write about for their Entertainment Weekly. Book
and Wine reviews came to mind. As soon as I started getting
attention for the wine columns, with invites to charity events with
wine and commercial tastings, I practically stopped reading all
together.
What’s the best advice for wine “newbies” to learn about wine? Read
Eve’s Wine 101 blog. Seriously, don’t be intimidated by it all! I
started with taking classes, going to tastings, reading everything I
could get my hands on and I still consider myself a wine 101er. I
know my way around a wine store or a wine event, but if I want
expert advice I ask for it. Ask questions, where ever you go.
What is the most challenging part about what you do? Making time to
put up daily content on my blog. Somehow, with contributing
writers, press releases that I find unique, charity events with
wine…it all has a place on my blog. I see that other wine
bloggers don’t do this. My blog description is:
THIS WINE BLOG ISN’T OVER YOUR HEAD. YOU WON’T SEE A PHOTO OF A WINE BOTTLE, OR GLASS, ON EVERY POST. YOU’LL READ, YOU’LL HAVE FUN, AND YOU’LL GET IT.
What do you enjoy most about what you do? Drinking wine with
newbies and experts alike. I learn from both, and throughly enjoy
the bantering. Especially when that second, or 16th, bottle is
opened.
What is the latest trend in the wine scene you are seeing?
Making
wine more accessible in pricing and interesting marketing.
Everyone, from the Wall Street Journal to blog sites, is selling
wine. It’s a lot for the consumer to choose from so it gives all
kinds of consumers all kinds of choices.
What are you drinking now? Well, right now it’s Coffee Bean’s
Viennese blend. But last night it was 2005 Alexander Valley
Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A cheesy nose, but in a good
way! And we paired it with some great jazz…
What is your all time favorite wine? Lynch Bages Chateauneuf du
pape. But don’t ask me to describe the wine beyond “perfection”;
it’s the occasion that calls it to mind now as most will find when
tasting wine over many years. Wine, and the people you share it
with, is something to ponder.
Describe the perfect day off. 8 hours of sleep, coffee, a
run…then blogging the afternoon away. Then, getting dressed to
the nines, slinging my Eve’s Wine 101 wine glass holder around my
neck, grabbing pen and pad, camera, and heading out to a
comprehensive tasting. Meeting my wine peeps, taking photos,
quotes, finding a new wine find….then getting up and doing it all
over again.
If you weren’t working in the “wine scene” what would you be doing?
Writing book reviews. Books are full bodied as well, but not as
interactive as wine – in the least!