Pancho Campo MW, Jay Miller and some staff from The Wine Academy of Spain
Two further comments on the elmundodelvino forum that have to date elicited no response from Pancho Campo MW.
The first is from Andrés Arévalo, whose earlier very pertinent comment on this thread, remains unanswered by Pancho. The second is by José Penin, Spain's leading wine writer/critic and author of the well-known annual Penin guide to Spanish wine. Penin warns Campo that he is throwing away his reputation gained by organising the WineFuture events as well as climate and wine conferences by the 'Miller circus – el circo Miller'. Penin suggests that Campo may find it very difficult to organise a third WineFuture.
The first is from Andrés Arévalo, whose earlier very pertinent comment on this thread, remains unanswered by Pancho. The second is by José Penin, Spain's leading wine writer/critic and author of the well-known annual Penin guide to Spanish wine. Penin warns Campo that he is throwing away his reputation gained by organising the WineFuture events as well as climate and wine conferences by the 'Miller circus – el circo Miller'. Penin suggests that Campo may find it very difficult to organise a third WineFuture.
These comments show that concern about Campo's activities is rising in Spain with Miller's gatekeeper failing to deal with the questions and concerns. It is not just 'this blogger'...
Andrés Arévalo
Dear Pancho,
I take my hat off to you. You are a true businessman.
A few days ago a MasterClass in Murcia, Valencia today, tomorrow in Madrid for the Agricultural Cooperatives (I have been invited). You're lining your pockets by taking advantage of the fact that you are organising Jay Miller's agenda. And the truth is that if Jay Miller agrees, and the DOs pay and it's all legal, nobody can say anything. But you sure are making Mr. Miller sweat his shirt, even though you are supposed to be making life easier for him.
Spain is bankrupt, and the DOs are skint what with all the cut-backs - as is all of Spain, but the wineries are desperate to sell their wines ... and no one can dispute the influence of TWA in the USA.
But don't you think you're taking the piss a bit? Do you honestly think anyone would pay to listen to you giving a lecture if Jay Miller weren't there with you?
And what has been published on DO Madrid, I don't know if that is also a lie and the people of Madrid have got it all wrong like the people of Murcia at ASEVIN did, but it is you who signs off from Tuscany, pulling the strings behind the scenes, from an iPhone.
But what amazes us most, and it's here where I really take my hat off to you, Mr. Campo, is that Spanish wine journalists in Spain aren't investigating any of this. How have you achieved this? Nobody says anything. It has by all accounts taken a UK blogger and an English AP journalist to do it. Where are the Peñines, Proensa, Delgado, de la Serna (this last one has researched / published something) and other wine journalists in Spain? Rivers of ink have flowed over much lesser events than what has happened in Madrid. Pressure, saying opportunities pass, that instead of 40 I'll only charge you 20, that it wasn't in the agenda to come to Madrid until 2014 but if we can set up a Conference / Payment we can bring it all forward ... and fix the matter. Where have I ever seen this in Spain?
Has anyone investigated whether it was the same in other regions and DOs? Have others been deprived of a visit by Mr. Miller for not paying the toll to Mr. Campo?
This is the biggest scandal that has ever been witnessed in the Spanish wine industry. We do not deserve this. Anyway, I don't know why I even bother writing all this.
Regards,
Andrés Arévalo
(Comment in Spanish)
Estimado Pancho,
La verdad es que me quito el sombrero. Eres un verdadero businessman.
Hace unos dias en Murcia una MasterClass, hoy en Valencia, mañana en Madrid para las Cooperativas Agrarias (me han invitado). Te estás forrando aprovechando que le organizas la agenda a Jay Miller. Y la verdad, si Jay Miller acepta, y las DO pagan todo legal y nadie puede decir nada. Le estás haciendo a Mr. Miller sudar la camiseta, a pesar de que se supone que contaban contigo para hacerle la vida mas fácil.
España está en quiebra, y las DOs están todas tiesas con recortes de presupuesto como toda España, pero las bodegas están desesperadas por vender sus vinos... y nadie discute la influencia de TWA en USA. ¿Pero no crees que estas abusando un poco? Sinceramente crees que te pagarían a ti por dar una conferencia si no estuviera Jay Miller?
Y lo que se ha publicado sobre DO.Madrid, no se si tambien es mentira y se ha equivocado como la gente de Murcia de ASEVIN, pero eres tu el que firma desde Toscana manejando los hilos , desde un iphone.
Pero lo mas sorprendete de todo, y ahi es donde me quito el sombre Sr. Campo, es que los periodistas de España del vino no investiguen nada de esto. Cómo la has hecho? Nadie dice nada. Ha sido un Bloggero del Reino Unido y un periodista ingles de AP según parece. Donde están los Peñines, Proensas, Delgados, de la Serna (este si ha investigado/publicado algo) y otros periodistas del vino en España? Por cosas mucho menores a lo de Madrid se ha escrito rios de tinta. Presiones; diciendo que las oportunidades pasan, que de 40 te lo dejo en 20, que no estaba previsto venir a Madrid hasta el 2014 pero gracias a la Conferencia / Pago se puede adelantar... y arreglar el tema? Donde he visto esto en España?
Alguien ha investigado si ha sido igual en otras zonas y DO? Otras que se han quedado sin la visita de Mr. Miller por no pagar el peaje a el Sr. Campo?
Es el escándalo mas grande que se ha visto en la industria del vino en España. No nos lo merecemos. En fin, no se ni porque escribo todo esto.
Un saludo,
Andrés Arévalo
Comment by José Penin:
Spanish original:
The matter is very clear. Parker, as any writer or journalist, charges for a non-binding presentation or a tasting as he has done in the two WineFuture events (in Rioja and in Hong Kong).
But any time that a personality wearing his journalistic cloak is invited by an institution, consortium or collective to visit an area and therefore taste their wines (for review), he must not charge a penny. It is my understanding that Jay Miller comes to accomplish this type of journalistic work and reflects it in (his tasting notes reports) in The Wine Advocate.
What seems to me outrageous is that in this (presumed) work, which is supposed to be informative and independent, that he uses an an intermediary, like one of those managers of stars who charge their clientes (for appearances), which makes one feel like he (Miller) is being served up on a plate, which is like something out of a soap opera.
Does Jay (Miller) actually charge more than his travel expenses? I don't think so. In other years Jay Miller tasted Spanish wines in his own country and did not charge for it (tasting the wines). The costs of (Miller’s) travel (to and in Spain) and for his stay in our country have nothing to do with the figure of 20,000 euros charged by the intermediary, in this case Pancho (Campo), and this logically is reprehensible because surreptiously it puts a price on the announcement "Jay (Miller) is coming to taste Spanish wines that will appear in (his reviews) in The Wine Advocate."
Pancho (Campo) wrote in this forum (elmundovino.com) that the (various) D. O.(s) contracted (Miller) for various events. Yes, but not because of the importance and and popularity of you (Pancho Campo), nor even the Jay Miller, but due to the significance of the famous newsletter (The Wine Advocate) that is directed by the true guru who is (Robert M.) Parker.
I have transmitted to Pancho that even bringing Miller to tour Spain as a favor without other pecuniary condition should have been left in the hands of someone from his team (to make arrangements). I told him that his rapidly growing reputation for accompanying Parker’s (Robert M. Parker, Jr. of The Wine Advocate) is not going to end well. Pancho (Campo) is a Master of Wine and the prestige obtained not only by the organization of the two important WineFutures events, as well as those Climate Change events, but also his educational activity of spreading (knowledge) about Spanish wines in the world, is being threatened by this “Miller circus.”
And there is Jim Budd’s long epistle.
Friend Pancho, I think it will cost you sweat and tears to put your next Wine Futures event together (because of this “circus”).
Spanish original:
Reproducimos un 'post' de José Peñín, de 3 de diciembre, que se había borrado por error.
El asunto está muy claro. Parker como cualquier escritor o periodista cobra por una conferencia, presentación o una cata ¡¡no vinculante¡¡ tal y como él ha hecho en los dos WineFuture. En el momento que el personaje se enfunde su traje de periodista invitado por una institución, consorcio o colectivo a visitar una zona y por lo tanto catar sus vinos, no debe cobrar un céntimo. Entiendo que Jay Miller viene a realizar este tipo de trabajo periodístico y reflejarlo en Wine Advocate. Lo que me parece indignante es que esta labor informativa e independiente lo instrumentalice un intermediario, al uso de los managers de las estrellas que cobran para que su cliente se siente en un plató de televisión en un programa del corazón. ¿Realmente Jay cobra más allá de sus gastos de estancia y traslados? No lo creo. En otros años Jay Miller cataba los vinos españoles en su país y no cobraba por ello. Los gastos de traslado y estancia en nuestro país nada tienen que ver con la cifra de los 20.000 euros que cobra el intermediario, en este caso Pancho, y esto es lógicamente es reprobable porque soterradamente se pone precio al anuncio “Jay viene a catar a España los vinos que aparecerán en el W. Advocate”. Dice Pancho en este foro que las D.O. le han contratado para los distintos eventos. Sí, pero no por la dimensión y popularidad de él, ni siquiera la de Jay Miller, sino por la significación del célebre boletín que dirige el verdadero gurú que es Parker.
Le he transmitido a Pancho que incluso trayendo a Miller para que recorra España como favor sin otra condición pecuniaria, lo debería haber dejado en manos de un colaborador de su equipo. Le dije que su rápida y naciente reputación por acompañar a un “segundo” de Parker no queda en buen lugar. Pancho es todo un Master of Wine y el prestigio obtenido no solo por la organización de los dos importantes eventos Wine Future, así como los del Cambio Climático, sino también por la actividad pedagógica de difundir el vino español por el mundo, los está tirando por la borda con el circo Miller. Y ahí está la larga epístola de Jim Budd.
Amigo Pancho, creo que tu próximo Wine Future te va a costar sudor y lágrimas llevarlo a cabo.
El asunto está muy claro. Parker como cualquier escritor o periodista cobra por una conferencia, presentación o una cata ¡¡no vinculante¡¡ tal y como él ha hecho en los dos WineFuture. En el momento que el personaje se enfunde su traje de periodista invitado por una institución, consorcio o colectivo a visitar una zona y por lo tanto catar sus vinos, no debe cobrar un céntimo. Entiendo que Jay Miller viene a realizar este tipo de trabajo periodístico y reflejarlo en Wine Advocate. Lo que me parece indignante es que esta labor informativa e independiente lo instrumentalice un intermediario, al uso de los managers de las estrellas que cobran para que su cliente se siente en un plató de televisión en un programa del corazón. ¿Realmente Jay cobra más allá de sus gastos de estancia y traslados? No lo creo. En otros años Jay Miller cataba los vinos españoles en su país y no cobraba por ello. Los gastos de traslado y estancia en nuestro país nada tienen que ver con la cifra de los 20.000 euros que cobra el intermediario, en este caso Pancho, y esto es lógicamente es reprobable porque soterradamente se pone precio al anuncio “Jay viene a catar a España los vinos que aparecerán en el W. Advocate”. Dice Pancho en este foro que las D.O. le han contratado para los distintos eventos. Sí, pero no por la dimensión y popularidad de él, ni siquiera la de Jay Miller, sino por la significación del célebre boletín que dirige el verdadero gurú que es Parker.
Le he transmitido a Pancho que incluso trayendo a Miller para que recorra España como favor sin otra condición pecuniaria, lo debería haber dejado en manos de un colaborador de su equipo. Le dije que su rápida y naciente reputación por acompañar a un “segundo” de Parker no queda en buen lugar. Pancho es todo un Master of Wine y el prestigio obtenido no solo por la organización de los dos importantes eventos Wine Future, así como los del Cambio Climático, sino también por la actividad pedagógica de difundir el vino español por el mundo, los está tirando por la borda con el circo Miller. Y ahí está la larga epístola de Jim Budd.
Amigo Pancho, creo que tu próximo Wine Future te va a costar sudor y lágrimas llevarlo a cabo.
12 comments:
Keep their feet to the fire, Mr. Budd. It's about time.
That comment by 'Spaniard' (how courageous everyone is around here!) is totally unfair. It doesn't cost a penny to be included in Peñín's guide or to get a good rating, even though the published charges you if you want to have a pic of your label included, which is a pretty common practice everywhere. I've never paid a cent.
Thank you Victor. Spaniard: I have removed your commnent and will only consider reinstating it if you can back up your claims.
Andres Arevalo strikes again! He has received a private email from Pancho Campo but has chosen to respond very thoroughly and publicly. This was published a short time ago on an el mundo thread:
http://foros.elmundo.es/foros/viewtopic.php?t=69631&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
A quick translation part one:
Hello Pancho,
I didn´t know I´d received a private message from you until a few days ago when I saw it in my junk mail. I haven´t had time to respond until now.
From: Pancho Campo
To: Andres Arevalo
Date: Fri Nov 25, 2011 05:53 pm
Subject: Your post
Dear Andres or Esteban or whatever you´re called, your post matches one that appeared previously on this forum. I invite you to present your proof for these accusations. We have signed contracts and documentation which backs up our argument.
But, of course, I´m not going to respond publicly to a pseudonym. Yours TWA
You want proof? Of how you have managed Jay Miller´s diary for your own economic ends? I don´t need to do it when they are pouring out from various different national and international sources, especially in the US and UK. I see that Parker plans to contract a lawyer and I think that´s fantastic!
In La Rioja we all know each other and we all know what´s happening. What is certain is that nobody wants to say anything because they´re frightened that it could affect their relationship that their wines could have with The Wine Advocate and neither do they want a stand-off with certain people on the Consejo Regulador. People here already have enough problems without seeking out more, but that doesn´t mean that people don´t know what is going on.
Part two:
Is it not true that ARAEX was a sponsor of Wine Future Rioja, paying for their wines to be served with the dinner on the final night? That´s on your own website. And is it not true that they were a sponsor of Wine Future Hong Kong? Because your promotional video that has even appeared on CNN bears their logos. Proof? That´s on your web.
ARAEX can do what they want with their own money and if they want to give it to you they are free to, but other bodegas apart from these two, and with higher points, have not seen Jay Miller: this is not jealousy but impotence as they see the most important critic going to other bodegas because they have paid the diary manager. And it´s true that Jay hasn´t charged either for the visits or for tasting the wines but the person who organizes the diary has – Sr Campo.
Isn´t it true that there was a visit to the Juan Alcorta winery to taste the wines Azpilicueta Crianza 2009, 2004; Campo Viejo Reserva and Campo Viejo Gran Reserva. This was published on Verema and signed off by you:
http://www.verema.com/articulos/779356-gira-jay-miller-por-toro-ribera-rioja
It´s a fantastic winery like many others in La Rioja but it´s wines aren´t even sold in the US with the exception of Campo Viejo in supermarkets. Did Jay Miller choose that winery?
There are many other wineries that do sell their wines in the US and have higher points but, as they don´t sponsor your events, haven´t had visits. In private many people have complained but , as I said before, they don´t want more problems, not with the President of the Consejo and above all not with Parker´s team. It´s true that many can submit their wines to be tasted via the Consejo or through their importers but what we all want is to have our photo taken with Miller and for him to visit our winery.
DO Campo de Borja, after Rioja, Ribera and Cataluña, got a visit from Miller. Isn´t it true that Google is full of dates of tastings that they have contracted you to do? And , going by the prices you publish for your classes, they won´t have been cheap. DO Campo de Borja can do what they like with their money but can you deny that there is a very direct link here?
The DO Madrid matter is all in the public domain with the publication of the emails between you, Adela and the DO. Do you want more proof?
There are dozens and dozens of examples all over Spain. But I´m going to leave it to the wine journalists and the non-wine journalists – because this transcends our humble little industry – for them to investigate the details, above all how you are lining your pockets managing Miller´s agenda at the expense of the of the tiny budgets of the Spanish DOs.
And nothing against Jay Miller or the Wine Advocate and all the other wine critics who are welcome in Rioja, but there is just no need to employ intermediaries.
I´m off to have my supper because I´m just repeating what is blindingly obvious. Please don´t send me any more private messages because there´s already enough secrecy in this matter. Whatever you like, here.
Regards
Andres Arevalo
Translation of Andres Arevalo elmundo post Part Two:
Is it not true that ARAEX was a sponsor of Wine Future Rioja, paying for their wines to be served with the dinner on the final night? That´s on your own website. And is it not true that they were a sponsor of Wine Future Hong Kong? Because your promotional video that has even appeared on CNN bears their logos. Proof? That´s on your web.
ARAEX can do what they want with their own money and if they want to give it to you they are free to, but other bodegas apart from these two, and with higher points, have not seen Jay Miller: this is not jealousy but impotence as they see the most important critic going to other bodegas because they have paid the diary manager. And it´s true that Jay hasn´t charged either for the visits or for tasting the wines but the person who organizes the diary has – Sr Campo.
Isn´t it true that there was a visit to the Juan Alcorta winery to taste the wines Azpilicueta Crianza 2009, 2004; Campo Viejo Reserva and Campo Viejo Gran Reserva. This was published on Verema and signed off by you:
http://www.verema.com/articulos/779356-gira-jay-miller-por-toro-ribera-rioja
It´s a fantastic winery like many others in La Rioja but it´s wines aren´t even sold in the US with the exception of Campo Viejo in supermarkets. Did Jay Miller choose that winery?
There are many other wineries that do sell their wines in the US and have higher points but, as they don´t sponsor your events, haven´t had visits. In private many people have complained but , as I said before, they don´t want more problems, not with the President of the Consejo and above all not with Parker´s team. It´s true that many can submit their wines to be tasted via the Consejo or through their importers but what we all want is to have our photo taken with Miller and for him to visit our winery.
DO Campo de Borja, after Rioja, Ribera and Cataluña, got a visit from Miller. Isn´t it true that Google is full of dates of tastings that they have contracted you to do? And , going by the prices you publish for your classes, they won´t have been cheap. DO Campo de Borja can do what they like with their money but can you deny that there is a very direct link here?
The DO Madrid matter is all in the public domain with the publication of the emails between you, Adela and the DO. Do you want more proof?
There are dozens and dozens of examples all over Spain. But I´m going to leave it to the wine journalists and the non-wine journalists – because this transcends our humble little industry – for them to investigate the details, above all how you are lining your pockets managing Miller´s agenda at the expense of the of the tiny budgets of the Spanish DOs.
And nothing against Jay Miller or the Wine Advocate and all the other wine critics who are welcome in Rioja, but there is just no need to employ intermediaries.
I´m off to have my supper because I´m just repeating what is blindingly obvious. Please don´t send me any more private messages because there´s already enough secrecy in this matter. Whatever you like, here.
Regards
Andres Arevalo
Anon. I'm vert grateful for the translations and have just put up a new post with the original Spanish version and your translation.
Spaniard: Please remember that I can be used for libel for comments posted on this blog. I can hardly expected to be able to defend comments unlees I have evidence to back up the claims.
Let the wheels keep turning but make sure that they are well and legally oiled. Innuendo can very quickly lead to slander and libel. Keep the sensational rumor-mongering private and let this story play out. That means you, Spaniard.
In light of all these unproved allegations about Jay Miller, he has resigned from Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate. I just wonder how the D.O.s of La Mancha, Navarra, Valencia, Murcia (the source of the Murciagate controversy) and Madrid (who refused to pay for Miller's proposed visit) feel now. Navarra laid out 100,000 Euros and Valencia 25,000 Euros (just last week)?
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