Comments on: The Battle Between Wine Shops And Liquor Warehouses http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/ From Vine To Bottle Sun, 24 Apr 2011 02:41:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Adam Weiner http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/comment-page-1/#comment-2258 Adam Weiner Mon, 20 Dec 2010 06:47:00 +0000 http://www.adamswineguide.com/?p=545#comment-2258 Great point. It would be such a relief to be able to acquire product that wasn't offered by distributors. The way things are now, we're SOL unless a distributor carries the product. Great point. It would be such a relief to be able to acquire product that wasn’t offered by distributors. The way things are now, we’re SOL unless a distributor carries the product.

]]> By: Tom Wark http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/comment-page-1/#comment-773 Tom Wark Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:53:12 +0000 http://www.adamswineguide.com/?p=545#comment-773 One of the reasons that little change comes to the distribution system is that the retail sector of the industry is split. While many small and large wine retailers are supporters of liberalizing the three tier system, many other retailers are joined at the hip with wholesalers who have no interest in seeing any change come to the three tier system. For example, by allowing self distribution of wine from producer directly retailers across state lines, we'd see many retailers have access to goods wholesalers don't represent. This would give retailers a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. Likewise, seeing more states allow legalized shipping to consumers from out-of-state retailers (only 13 allow it) would give smaller retailers larger markets to go after. Yet wholesalers oppose these kinds of commonsense changes and too often retailers go along with that opposition. Tom Wark Specialty Wine Retailers Association One of the reasons that little change comes to the distribution system is that the retail sector of the industry is split. While many small and large wine retailers are supporters of liberalizing the three tier system, many other retailers are joined at the hip with wholesalers who have no interest in seeing any change come to the three tier system.

For example, by allowing self distribution of wine from producer directly retailers across state lines, we’d see many retailers have access to goods wholesalers don’t represent. This would give retailers a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. Likewise, seeing more states allow legalized shipping to consumers from out-of-state retailers (only 13 allow it) would give smaller retailers larger markets to go after.

Yet wholesalers oppose these kinds of commonsense changes and too often retailers go along with that opposition.

Tom Wark
Specialty Wine Retailers Association

]]> By: Adam Weiner http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/comment-page-1/#comment-669 Adam Weiner Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:45:41 +0000 http://www.adamswineguide.com/?p=545#comment-669 Is the UK on the three-tier system? We are here in Colorado. So basically wineries must be sold through one sole distributor before retailers or restaurants can purchase them. Is the UK on the three-tier system? We are here in Colorado. So basically wineries must be sold through one sole distributor before retailers or restaurants can purchase them.

]]> By: Paul Caputo http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/comment-page-1/#comment-665 Paul Caputo Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:21:48 +0000 http://www.adamswineguide.com/?p=545#comment-665 Completely acceptable rant - Similar issues in the UK. An independent in the right place can do well, but independents in general are in for a pretty rough time, finding it increasingly difficult to survive as they struggle to compete with supermarket discounts and ludicrous import taxes. Completely acceptable rant – Similar issues in the UK. An independent in the right place can do well, but independents in general are in for a pretty rough time, finding it increasingly difficult to survive as they struggle to compete with supermarket discounts and ludicrous import taxes.

]]> By: Adam Weiner http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/comment-page-1/#comment-332 Adam Weiner Sat, 15 May 2010 04:17:21 +0000 http://www.adamswineguide.com/?p=545#comment-332 Thanks for chiming in, Larry. I totally agree. Out customers come for our educated palates. They come back because they love our recommendations and unique selections. And our free wine tastings. I just had to adress my displeasure, and express the importance of showing the small guys some love! Thanks for chiming in, Larry. I totally agree. Out customers come for our educated palates. They come back because they love our recommendations and unique selections. And our free wine tastings. I just had to adress my displeasure, and express the importance of showing the small guys some love!

]]> By: Larry Chandler http://www.adamswineguide.com/2010/05/14/the-battle-between-wine-shops-and-liquor-warehouses/comment-page-1/#comment-331 Larry Chandler Sat, 15 May 2010 03:55:34 +0000 http://www.adamswineguide.com/?p=545#comment-331 The more you can educate people on the pleasures of unique and well-made wines, as opposed to the machine-made wines of the warehouses, you can keep a steady flow of customers. If you can do frequent focused tastings and educational sessions on varietals, regions, styles, you will get more people interested in your selections. As people learn more about wine, they will seek out the smaller, artisan producers. Even the biggest wine warehouse can't stock everything. Not all customers want to buy swill at rock-bottom prices. The more you can educate people on the pleasures of unique and well-made wines, as opposed to the machine-made wines of the warehouses, you can keep a steady flow of customers.

If you can do frequent focused tastings and educational sessions on varietals, regions, styles, you will get more people interested in your selections. As people learn more about wine, they will seek out the smaller, artisan producers.

Even the biggest wine warehouse can’t stock everything. Not all customers want to buy swill at rock-bottom prices.

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