NYTimes: Asimov on the InterNet & Terroir..

A new article today by Asimov talking about the effect of the InterNet on Terroir:
Asimov:InterNet&Terroir

It's a bit of a thought-provoking article that I've read three times & it left me scratching my head, puzzling what his point really is. I guess it's that the InterNet is what has lead to the diversity of wines that are available around the World.
Certainly, the proliferation of natural winemakers across the World has been fed by the exchange of ideas on the InterNet. I guess that is a good thing...maybe or maybe not.
Tom

Thanks, Tom.

It's interesting to consider the effects on winemaking of global comminications and the formation of non-gepgraphically-based communities, but to say that this has anything to do with terroir is ridiculous. I am not even sure Asimov believes this, and he makes a very poor case. It seems almost as if he had decided to base an article on an idea. However, when he came to write the piece he could find no good arguments, but decided to send it off to New York Times anyway.

I actually liked the piece, though I thought it could use an editor. I did find it interesting that he says One more element has come to be understood as part of terroir: the people farming the grapes and making the wines,. I think a more correct statement would be " One more element has to be debated as to whether it is part of terroir:"
'Cause that debate rages.
I don't have any direct experience of how the internet influences wine making, But certainly the internet had a HUGE influence in how formerly niche wines (often only available in area where grown) found a broader market.

[David M. Bueker]

I don't have any direct experience of how the internet influences wine making, But certainly the internet had a HUGE influence in how formerly niche wines (often only available in area where grown) found a broader market.

And when those niche wines get press/notice others go "what are they doing" and the copycat process happens. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.