Wine Wednesday came and went this week. It was my birthday and the day completely got away from me, so this week, we’ll celebrate with Thirsty Thursday!
When I started exploring the wine world and posting my reviews, I came upon the Reverse Wine Snob, also known as Jon Thorsen. To me and many others, he’s the all-knowing one on where to find great wines and all for under $20. Yes, he is on the hunt for all of out in the world to find wines that will please us and that we can afford….I want him to be my new BFF, don’t you?!
I had to find out more about Jon and how he does what he does, so I asked him if I could interview him. He was so kind and answered all of my questions. What a treat for me! I hope you enjoy learning more about the Reverse Wine Snob and check out Jon’s website, twitter, new book and more!
How did you decide to start your blog?
My wife and I never drank a lot of wine because we had a preconceived notion that we had to spend at least $20 to get a good bottle. After deciding we’d like to drink more I went searching for good, inexpensive wines and was rather shocked to find quite a few. I figured there were probably other people like me who would drink more wine if they knew they could get good bottles for under $20, so from that the blog was born. I really just started it on a whim more as a way for me to have a spot to remember the wines I found that I liked, I really didn’t expect it to take off the way it has.
How long have you being doing it?
I started in February 2011, so about 4.5 years so far.
What did you do before?
The site is still just a hobby for me, unfortunately wine blogging is not a good way to make money. My day job is as a Marketing Director at a multi-channel retailer.
How do you choose which wine you are going to sample…is there an order you go by?
It depends on a lot of factors including what we’re having for dinner, what kind of wines I’ve reviewed recently, how long I’ve had the wine, what’s in the news, etc. I try to keep it interesting by covering a wide variety of wines.
How many wines have you tried and/or rated?
I’ve published reviews on well over a thousand wines, I’ve tasted many, many more than that. Our drains must be very clean based on the amount of bad wine I’ve poured down them!
How many samples are you sent in a given month?
I get quite a few, more than I can possibly review, but I also buy wine to review so that I’m not just covering what is sent to me as a sample.
You post your favorite lists throughout the year, but what if you could only choose 2, what would they be?
I can’t possibly choose two…but if you must I would choose the #1 picks from my current Top 10 Reds list and my current Top 10 Whites list.
How do you find the time to drink so much wine?
It’s actually not that much given that this has been spread out over 4.5 years. Unlike a lot of review sites that give ratings based on brief tastings, all the wines I review are tastes over at least a couple hours, often with and without food — basically enjoyed as they would be in a normal situation. Wine changes so much with some time in the glass I really don’t get how someone can give an accurate review based on a brief tasting where they may not even be swallowing the wine!
Out of all of the wines you’ve tasted, was there a time where you were the most surprised, for example, maybe you had preconceived notions about one?
Oh, I’m surprised all the time, it’s why I try to always keep an open mind about a wine, whether it’s from Piedmont or Pennsylvania!
Would you ever want to create your own wine? Why or why not?
Maybe some day when the kids are older and I have more time! 
Want to learn more about Jon? Check out his website the Reverse Wine Snob, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, and Klout. Don’t forget to buy his new book!
