Archive for July, 2013

Using Referrals to Grow Your Wine Shop Busine

July 31st, 2013

Referrals are sometimes thought as the sole domain of B2B firms and professional services like doctors, lawyers, accountants and financial advisers, but retailers can use them, too. [level-members] There are two tricks in retail: Create ravings fans Provide opportunities and inducements We’ve discussed the importance of creating raving fans of your best customers, and we’ll […]

Wine Retailer Shipping Regulatio

July 30th, 2013

Even as the number of states permitting direct-to-consumer shipments from wineries grows, the picture looks less promising for retailers interested in shipping out of state. [level-members] The folks at ShipCompliantBlog, a site focused on the ins and outs of shipping in the wine industry, has put together a handy-dandy reference for retailers interested in shipping […]

Retail Wine News – Trouble in Burgundy, PA May Approve D

July 29th, 2013

As if Burgundies aren’t expensive enough, recent hailstorm-damage seems to have hit the wine crop hard. And Pennsylvania appears ready to approve direct shipping of wine in the legislature. [level-members] In Burgundy, a series of hailstorms devastated the wine crop in a number of well-known areas within the region, including Côte de Beaune and Volnay. […]

Food and Wine Pairing – A Better Approa

July 26th, 2013

Rather than an actual pairing recommendation this week, here’s a link to a great old article about food and wine pairing. It’s a great discussion of the whole rules (reds with meat, etc.) vs. “drink what you want” camps, and whether once side or the other does more damage by creating confusion among less knowledgeable […]

What They’re Reading – Bon Appétit August 2013, Rosés in The New York Tim

July 25th, 2013

This week, we have the August issue of Bon Appétit, which is their “coolest summer issue ever.” The cover includes easier-than-you’d think homemade ice cream, the ultimate grilled burger bar, America’s vegetable revolution, and a dream beach picnic. Also, rosés in the New York Times. [level-members] In the recipe-request column is a Peach Julep from […]

Chilling Wine and Winning Retail Custome

July 24th, 2013

If we haven’t convinced you yet of the importance of staying in touch with your customers, stick around a bit longer – we will! Here’s why and a quick introduction on how to keep your customer’s attention. [level-members] More importantly, I we’ve at least begun to drive home the point that you have to have […]

Naming Wines – The Art and Scien

July 23rd, 2013

A rose may smell as sweet by another name, but a rosé may not. Or, it may not sell as well. Here’s the skinny. [level-members] According to a report on NPR in 2012, if you want to appeal to a more knowledgeable (and presumably, more free-spending) wine consumer, your best bet is to confuse him. It […]

Retail Wine Industry News – Vintner Group CEO: Growth is Strong, Glob

July 22nd, 2013

An interview in Shanken’s News Daily this week David Townsend, the CEO of Vintner Group, which has been on an acquisition tear, included some interesting insights. [level-members] Townsend sees a strong market with growth most notable in wines at $15 and above. He notes that Millenials – younger wine drinkers – are showing a great […]

Food and Wine Pairing – Paella and Tempranil

July 19th, 2013

I was excited to see an article in this week’s Dining & Wine section of the New York Times about Paella on the grill. It’s a summer staple at our house, and I had just made it for friends last Saturday night. The article is about a yearly head-to-head competition, a paella-off.[level-members] Both versions were […]

What They’re Reading – Wine Spectator August 31, 20

July 18th, 2013

The cover story this issue is “The List,” Wine Spectator’s list of Restaurant Awards program winners, who are the restaurants WS feels have the best wine lists in the business. Also on tap: Australia’s new diversity and California’s “new-wave” whites. [level-members] The Editors’ Letter highlights the growing trend toward digital wine lists. I wonder how […]