One of my proudest possessions is a set of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica that I inherited from my grandfather. There’s nothing in there about atomic energy, or the United Nations, but if you want to know about the Roman Empire, or the history of textiles, this is still one of the most authoritative sources. All the wisdom of the world at the time was compiled into those 29 volumes, and it must have been very expensive to acquire. Today, there is almost too much knowledge and information to deal with, and most of it is absolutely free.

There are several wonderful things about the computer. It is fast. It can connect you to people all over the world that you would normally never have the opportunity to talk with. You can get as specific and specialized as you desire when you go online. But, arguably, the greatest aspect of the web is that it is absolutely democratic. You have the same access to the internet as everyone else. You, too, can blog.

The word “blog” is short for “web log”. A blog can be a personal diary, a collaborative space, a bully pulpit, a collection of links, or a memo to the world. Having your very own website gives you a place to express your opinions and to share information and opinions with others. What better way to connect with other wine lovers than through “blogging”? This month’s newsletter tells you how to become a “blogger” and what you can expect to gain from the experience.

First, we want to show you what a wine blog looks like. One of Frugal’s wine guys, Jerry Hall, has his own wine blog. He is uncomfortable that I’m using him as an example, but it is a good place to start. Go to www.winewaves.com and you will find Jerry’s personal wine reviews, some great photos, and some links to other blogs. Note the variety of categories to choose from. He has clicks by country and by whites and reds. Additional links are to other wine blogs that he likes. These other blogs cover different geographic areas, express different points of view, and include food, as well as wine. These blogs led me to unexpected destinations such as great North Carolina wines, the African-American Wine Tasting Society, and the website for the Spanish wine industry. One even lists all wine events for the coming year by state and country. That is great information! Just start with any good wine blog and follow the links to other wine blogs. It is a feast of information that lasts as long as you care to follow the trails.

Wine Blogs are growing in their importance in the creation and distribution of wine information. Literally anyone with a point of view and the time required can become a wine blogger.

The first thing you might want to do is to review suggested blogging guidelines. Just type “Blog Guidelines” into your Google and you will get several entries that are worth reading. One is by Yahoo. Another is by IBM. And there is yet another entitled “Ten Tips for Creating a Blog”. These cover mostly ethical considerations and blogging etiquette. Then, to create your very own free website, go to www.blogger.com or www.blogwise.com and you will find out how to register your site and start blogging with other wine lovers. One word of caution: as you will soon discover, there is a lot of narcissism and an abundance of nonsense out there in cyberspace. It increases a reader’s confidence level to know who he or she is dealing with. Note that in Jerry Hall’s blog, he tells you up front who he is, what he does for a living, and what he is interested in. Such crucial information helps participants to cut through some of the smoke and find sites that are really productive.

Frugal’s is providing this information to help you learn all you want to know about the wonderful world of wines; to make great discoveries; to make new friends; and ultimately to enhance your wine drinking experience. The next time you are by the store, give the wine guys some feedback about your online communications. Happy Blogging!