Categories

Following are the eight categories for the 2010 Wine Blog Awards. To be eligible, a blog must have posted at least 52 times during the applicable period from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. The exception to this is the Best New Wine Blog award, which has no requirement for minimum number of posts but must have been started on or after April 1, 2009.

Best Wine Blog Graphics, Photography, & Presentation: Criteria: 1) Should present a compelling visual experience for readers, both within the site format and in individual posts. 2) Should demonstrate the potential of the blogging format to convey ideas or subject matter through images. 3) Should have made an extra effort to present its subject matter in a highly visual and graphic manner that is both entertaining, educational, and thought provoking.

Best Industry/Business Wine Blog: Criteria: 1) Should have a substantial portion of the blog devoted to exploring the business of wine and the wine industry. 2) Should offer insightful analysis and reporting on the business of wine. 3) Should have used a substantial portion of posts to deliver independent and original analysis of the financial, marketing, administrative, marketing and technological aspects of the wine industry.

Best Wine Reviews on a Wine Blog: Criteria: 1) Should have wine reviews as the primary content on their blog. 2) Should consistently deliver insightful and well-presented wine reviews. 3) Should have made an extra effort to use wine reviews to educate their readers. 4) Should heighten the reputation of the wine blogging genre for providing excellent consumer advice.

Best Single Subject Wine Blog: Criteria: 1) Should have as the focus of the blog a single, relatively narrow subject such as a country, a single appellation, a single varietal or type of wine, retailing, wine tourism, one aspect of the business of wine or any other narrow focus that seeks to consistently illuminate that specific single subject. 2) Should demonstrate a command of, or expertise in, the single subject upon which it focuses. 3) Should be among the best sources of information in any genre for information on the chosen subject matter.

Best Winery Blog: Criteria: 1) Should have done an outstanding job of using the blog format to convey the unique nature of a working winery. 2) Should have used the blog to create a more intimate connection between consumers and the winery.

Best Writing On a Wine Blog: Criteria: 1) Should put the English language to great use. 2) Should write with a demonstrably original voice that conveys a personal style. 3) Should consistently demonstrate a command of the English language to convey original, insightful and entertaining messages.

Best New Wine Blog: Criteria: 1) Should have the first blog entry posted sometime during the applicable period of the current awards year. No minimum number of posts is required. 2) Should have already made or show potential to make an impact on the worlds of wine or wine blogging via its reporting, writing, number of followers, etc. 3) Should present a credible appearance as a serious new entry in the realm of wine blogging, based on graphics, title, depth of posts, etc.

Best Overall Wine Blog: Criteria: 1) Should continually produce entertaining and educational information. 2) Should contain well-written prose and well produced posts. 3) Should demonstrate independent and original ideas and insights. 4) Should be of such high quality overall it can compete with any other wine information resources in any other medium. 5) Should be able in its overall form, content and presentation to advance the reputation of the wine blogging genre.