Independent thought

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The new-look online version of the Irish Independent (no subscription or sign-in necessary) knows where to find me, and once again I have been asked to answer some questions about business blogging because not so many non-tech companies here have a blog yet. You can see the article here at SiliconRepublic. I should just point out in my defence that I do say stupid things, apparently while sounding serious, quite a lot, and can't just switch off the guff because I'm talking to a journalist. So Marie very faithfully transcribed my flippancies. You might get rather less nonsense out of me where the wine is concerned. I say this as a supporter of Examiner wine correspondent Blake Creedon's 'no to irrelevant and hifalutin' wine talk' campaign. There's a strong chance we'll hear a bit of it this morning though, as a selection of wine people are getting together for another one of Wine Australia (Ireland)'s special tastings in Cork. Wine journalist Mary Dowey will be leading the charge towards some roses and Rieslings from Australia. More on this later, if there's time.

OK Here's the update. A great time had by all, thanks to the seamless organizing of John McDonnell of Wine Australia. Four rosés and ten Rieslings were informally and knowledgeably presented to us by Mary Dowey in a tutored tasting, and then a very sociable lunch ended the occasion. Them as were invited were heading off afterwards across the river Lee to the Clarion, where James Nicholson were showing their wines for the afternoon, and I know that one or two hardy souls were planning to rejoin John and Mary at Jacques restaurant in Cork later on this evening for further enjoyment of Australian wines at the inaugural dinner of the Cork Bacchus Supper Club. Australia tasting Riesling and roseAustralia tasting glasses

On the left here, you can see us all hard at work; and on the right, a typical pre-slurp place setting. By the way, if you've come to the blog because of the article today, I'm sorry about the links that don't work &c. We've just moved the blog to our own website and there are still some t's to cross and i's to dot. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.