Your favorite notebook for tasting notes?

WINE TALK
1

I’m looking for something that I can keep in a jacket pocket, but at the same time, is large enough to scribble coherent notes.

2

I like using Moleskine notebooks. They have various sizes including those that will fit into various pocket sizes. I personally prefer one that is a bit too large to really fit into a pocket as it gives me a bit more space, but the smaller ones (I’m using a smaller one right now) are easy to carry and manage while walking around.

3

A trip to your local office supply store I think is the best way to go on this. They’ll have a variety of styles and sizes to handle and see which you feel most comfortable with. Mine current one is a nice looking black leather-bound book and is about 4x6½" and fits easily in my pocket. At that size it’s a little small to handle and write into but it’s a compromise so it’s not too cumbersome to carry around.

4

My iPhone. That way I can document tasting notes by writing or voice recording, and if I want to, take a photo of the label.

5

I do something similar. I take notes on my blackberry and then send myself an email. When I get home, I copy the notes to Cellartracker.

6

Thanks for all of the suggestions. A quick stop at the local art store provided numerous pocket sized options, including the Moleskin brand, which is what I purchased. iPhone works great too, was just looking for something that was a bit more lo-fi.

7

I use my Blackberry when there are no other good options, but I still like writing in a notebook best when I am away from home. Compared to a Blackberry, iPhone, or other smartphone device, I can take better notes (meaning more content, done more quickly) when writing in a notebook. I use a laptop when tasting at home, but I never feel comfortable pulling one out elsewhere - just seems rude to me. I do plan on eventually trying out an iPad and think that may replace the notebook for me in the long run as it is large enough to allow me to work at the pace I like, can go almost anywhere, and is not too large to be intrusive.

8

I print and bind my own these days. [cheers.gif]

9

Moleskine works well , but the one issue I have with them is that they don’t hold open well…so no notetaking with glass-in-hand. At Borders, there are Moleskine clones called Piccadilly (in their clearance/special section) which look and perform 99% the same.

I like using small spiral-bound notebooks. The paper quality in Levenger’s products are pretty good.