SAQ: Any comment on this?

[Summus]

I always give the benefit of the doubt until all sides are heard. But the coverup is a bit concerning, no? This despite the fact that all appears above board. However, this is not a good situation. What's the rub here?
http://www.drvino.com/2012/04/18/saq-pa ... e-reviews/

[pdnnyc]

Yikes. The denial makes this look worse than it is, most likely. On the payments, there is a very fine distinction to be made. If JS was paid to give good reviews, that is clearly an ethical breach and I can't imagine JS is that stupid. As a critic, one's reputation is everything, once that goes, you're toast. I can't imagine JS would jeopardize the next 20 years of his career for $25K. However, if JS was paid just to come and then just review wines as per his normal standards, that is fine by me and should be considered above board. There are too many wines and fine wine regions for the top critics to cover, why would they waste their time covering the wines of meaningless wine regions? If I were JS, I'd sure as hell want to be paid to come, taste and review the wines of Upper Southeast Manitoba. And why should SAQ be expected to utilize JS's reputation and cache without paying something for it? Answer: they shouldn't.

So, could be bad, but likely isn't. Still the cover-up was a needless flub.

[Summus]

Agree, and very well said. It's not like there is too much demand for the wines of Quebec. I would also agree that the percePtion is worse than the reality. But that's the rub.

[james suckling]

There was no cover up. The journalist spoke to the SAQ in January and was told the situation.

I never denied anything. I never commented.

More information is forthcoming.

I am considering libel action.

[Summus]

There was no cover up. The journalist spoke to the SAQ in January and was told the situation.

I never denied anything. I never commented.

More information is forthcoming.

I am considering libel action.

That's good to hear, thanks for the assurance. As a student of history, you should "attack" James. I'm sure the French would promptly surrender!

[JohnnyB]

The media here in Quebec are upset with the SAQ for using an outsider to review wines instead of a local expert. A source at the Saq has told me the James Sucling event(online reviews,ratings) and the instore event was one of the top two for sales of the last two years. Customers bought the wines and they bought alot. We had a similar situation when Gordon Ramsay came to reinvent a troubled restaurant that had been here for almost 100 years. The bottom line is the SAQ is selling more wines and that is what they are in business to do. The SAQ has paid for Wine Spectator and Rober Parker subscriptions. I know I use them when I shop at the SAQ.
I hope this does not stop you James.
Look forward to more from you here in La Belle Province.

[james suckling]

Will do...merci.