Comic relief, eh? Well it washed right over me. Like during my recent weekend celebrating Alex's birthday, I sat in the same room for two days with the majority made up of friends from England; often scratching my head and wondering why I'd possibly have a greater understanding of the discussions ... had they been in Portuguese.
Do personal friendships affect the criticisms people feel able to level at winemakers? OK that's probably an unfair question.
For ultra-polite and politically correct Brits, very likely that is the case. OTOH, I make no such claim. I am one of those gruff, speak-one's-mind Americans, direct if not too much so, as most native NY'ers remain for life.
As happened earlier in the thread above, it can get one in trouble with those who may be sensitive to such proclivities. Nonetheless, I believe that it is my personal duty to be politely blunt when in the company of the Port trade. Anyone who has ever joined me for one of our tours in Portugal, knows that I pull no punches. I am often the first to point out to winemakers when I note their wine is corked. That is a mild example though. Trust me, if I do not like a wine during a visit, I am polite about it, but certainly do not hold back that sentiment from friends in the trade or those I am not as close to. Others here likely have stories they can share on this topic. Giving less flattering low scores in front of my group with the winemaker/proprietor sitting at the table may be uncomfortable for some (a Bulas table wine comes to mind from earlier last month, on tour) but they can take this in the spirit in which it is leveled ... to help them see a differing pov of their wine, always mentioning a positive characteristic as well as what I found lacking. A personal friendship shall have no bearing on the assessment of anyone's wine, at least from where I sit. Dirk Niepoort is a great example of one individual who has heard my not so favorable commentary of wine/Port he had on the table. He actually appreciates the candor, whether he agrees with me or not ... because he has so many other people/critics/friends blowing smoke his way and never willing to critique openly and fairly.
The risk? Not being invited back if skin is thin. Yes, it happens and I will withhold the name of one specific producer who will likely not have me visit his property again. But praise is also heeped on friends and those who are no more than acquaintences, (in Gaia/Douro and other wine regions too) if the wine/Port quality warrants that sort of commentary, great. If otherwise, duly noted as well. Others here at TPF likely can share some very funny (now) examples from past visits to Portugal with me, where they've sat in horror or amusement and watched this dynamic play out. Cheers!
For the record, the same is true when I do vintage assessments. Watch for my 2011 report at the end of November and you will see that friends or otherwise ... there is zero room for any score creep ... where exactly what I determine blind about the specific VP is qualified numerically. Take no prisoners, try to find something nice to say even about the Ports that in 2011 are an epic fail, fortunately few.