To sum up Web2.0 or even Wine2.0 is as simple as using one word – Conversation. But despite the potential for ‘chat’ via a blogs comment section few direct conversations occur between blogger and wine maker. Over the years a few “thank you’s” have been penned by retailers on Spittoon but none, as I recall, from wine makers or wine estates. Any ‘chat’ between the final consumer and the wine maker is even more remote; but step forward Naked Wines.
The website (please read the full review) has the innovative idea of linking each wine producer direct to the consumer via a ‘Winemakers Wall’. Revolutionary? Perhaps, but it is simply taking Web2.0 and applying it to a retail website.

A recent purchase from Domaine Cristia, a Southern Rhone producer, raised a few queries – grape composition of the three wines brought for example. The ideal material to enquire about, via their ‘wall’.

Domaine Cristia did reply to my questions, a transcript is below as, annoyingly, the Naked Wines website is not designed for direct linking. Abundantly clear to me the power this gives in extending the ‘conversation’ (direct contact between wine producer and final consumer) and raises the question of how many others will replicate the idea and offer such an experience to their end users?

→ I just enjoyed (and blogged http://www.spittoon.biz/domaine_cristia_from_naked_win.html about) three of your wines. Just out of interest what is the grape composition in each? Do you own all your own vineyards (size?) or buy in grapes from other growers?

Thanks Andrew for your comments on spittoon.biz Now I am going to answer your questions… Vin de Pays Grenache is … 100% Grenache! Cairanne is 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre Gigondas is 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault

Yes, we propose Naked wines 3 other wines, and I must say that they are my favourite Vacqueyras 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre is powerful, very aromatic and suave Rasteau is 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre, also very suave and onctuous As you wrote, the Cristia Collection wines do not come from our vineyards (Domaine Cristia). But each come from one specific property, it is not a blend of different growers. We know all of them, and their philosophy of vine working is what pleases us, their “earth friendly” approach of their terroir…
Our own estate (Domaine de Cristia) is 21 hectares in totality. We produce mainly Châteauneuf-du-Pape, along with Côtes-du-Rhône and Vin de Pays. Concerning the 2006 CDP, it’s made of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre

Andrew, if you have any other question, please go on asking… Very enjoyable to read comments and opinions of wine lovers such as you.