La Loire@Roanne – a distant glimpse by the houses in the centre of the photo This time last year we launched Jim's Loire. I'm not sure what our expectations were at the time but 652 posts later we have certainly been very pleased to have attracted nearly 50,000 visits* in the first year and to have a number of regular readers. On weekdays visits average out a little over 200 a day, dropping a little over the weekend.
It is difficult to know exactly how many first year visitors we have had as we didn't put the sitemeter on until the end of September – now recording a total of 48,348 visits. The sitemeter recorded 2002 visits in October 2008, the first full month, but would be surprised if Jim's Loire had attracted 2000 visitors in its first month when there was no meter.
It is difficult to know exactly how many first year visitors we have had as we didn't put the sitemeter on until the end of September – now recording a total of 48,348 visits. The sitemeter recorded 2002 visits in October 2008, the first full month, but would be surprised if Jim's Loire had attracted 2000 visitors in its first month when there was no meter.
La Loire@Pouilly-sur-Loire – the halfway point It has been great to get comments and feedback. The site has given me an opportunity to write about producers that I could never cover in a magazine and in a way that just wouldn't be possible. My sole regret is that I am still behind in writing up some of the visits that I have made.
* Update: my sitemeter recorded the 50,000 visit on 4th September.
La Loire@Saint-Thibault, near Sancerre To celebrate the first year I have chosen some pictures of the site's heroine – La Loire. Running downstream.
19 comments:
Happy Birthday! If only every wine region had as dedicated a scribe as yourself. Such priceless info for free is truly a thing of greatness. All the best for year 2!
Colin. Many thanks. Now that the blog is is established we will be looking to get some advertising during the coming year.
We have visited and indeed bought from both Foreau in Vovray and Joguet in Sazilly based on you sketches; thanks for these tip-offs - there are so very many small producers to pick from that the advice is very useful. Good luck for year 2!
Happy bloggy birthday, Jim. Your site's really proved a great resource and an always enjoyable daily read over the past year. I only wish I could be as prolific! Keep it coming....
Hi, I discovered your blog only recently. Great to have such useful informations on the wines of the Loire region. Keep up the good work!
Am here everyday after horse stuff outside! I have learnt so much even if far away.
Bob.
Many thanks for all of your kind comments. We intend to do our best to keep it coming ...
Henri. Glad to hear that the recommendations have been useful. Suggest a visit to Jérôme Billard (Domaine de la Noblaie) when you have time.
you almost have to read every day or else you get behind like 20 posts, Next year post one per day hah
Weston Thanks but there is a lot going on in the Loire.........
Congratulations, Jim! The energy/discipline you put into writing posts nearly daily I can only describe as enviable. I also think you've shown with Jim's Loire that blogs are a really good way for a wine writer with a particular specialist interest to share all his research and photographs and this makes it a really fantastic resource. Keep up the great work!
Joyeux anniversaire!
Full respect Jim you have really brought some good attention to the Loire Valley and it's wines. Here at La Grande Maison we are regular visitors to your blog and enjoy the updates & news you provide which we often share with our guests. Bravo!
Wink, Michaela and Sue: thanks for your kind comments. I have greatly enjoyed the first year and am looking forward to the second – hopefully starting with a good 2009 vintage for those who have been spared from the hail.
I think Wink brings up a really good point. This place is a tremendous source of info. I live here in Alberta and getting on in years. I do not think many more visits back home so I can only reflect and dream!!
Bob
Bob Thanks. I hope you will still have the opportunity for some more visits to the Loire.
Having recently visited the Loire and now being a fan of cabernet franc, your blog has inspired me to taste more widely and, thanks to the quality of your writings, more knowledgeably.
Thanks Colin. Glad to hear that Cab Franc is giving you pleasure.
I can only echo the comments of others above. Your diligent blogging, full of hard information, useful tips and delightful photographs are a wonder. As Weston says, it is hard to keep up the reading - so how much more demanding must it be to keep on writing. I think you can feel assured that we all forgive you if some posts take a little while to get together. Keep up the good work; I only wish I was going to the Loire this autumn to try some of the wine and meals you so splendidly describe,
Graham
Thanks Graham. Hope you get back to the Loire soon. Jim
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