Michael Cooper (pictured), one of New Zealand’s most respected and most published wine writers, has taken exception to his inclusion in a list of New Zealand wine writers who charge for reviews, published here this week.
I owe him an apology. It seems Cooper’s situation is unique – and certainly different to the two other writers mentioned. In a statement responding to my post, Cooper’s publisher, Kevin Chapman of Upstart Press, says Cooper is actively opposed to paid reviews.
Indeed, I’m aware he has been something of a crusader for integrity in the wider wine industry in New Zealand.
According to Chapman, the money (NZ$50 per review) goes not to Cooper directly but to the publisher, who runs his website. The publisher makes this charge to cover administrative costs.
The publisher ‘randomly selects’ 50 reviews, good and bad, to be published online. The $50 is;
“for intervening in the process and actively selecting and publishing the review”.
The reviews that are not published on the website go into Cooper’s annual Wine Buyer’s Guide.
Michael Cooper has published 38 books on wine, including several editions of his Wine Atlas of New Zealand and the annual Michael Cooper’s New Zealand Wine Buyer’s Guide. He is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Read the publisher’s reply here: