Comments on: Wine Styles vs. Trader Joe’s: who wins in a pinch? http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/ wine talk that goes down easy Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:11:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Dianne http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-292841 Dianne Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:11:46 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-292841 I love wine and I'm considering opening a WS store. It's been interesting to read what people have to say. I had originally thought of opening a small private wine shop, but have been intrigued by the WS concept. I live in a fairly small city of around 100,000 people and I'm not sure how the private store will do here. There is obviously a lot to consider. I love wine and I’m considering opening a WS store. It’s been interesting to read what people have to say. I had originally thought of opening a small private wine shop, but have been intrigued by the WS concept. I live in a fairly small city of around 100,000 people and I’m not sure how the private store will do here. There is obviously a lot to consider.

]]> By: Carol http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-243972 Carol Tue, 12 May 2009 19:15:40 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-243972 I used to work in a WS store. No, I was not sent to a "wine school" for training, but because I have a passion for wine I learned on the job. It really isn't rocket science, but you should take the time to learn the basics. Most WS offer winetastings every week to educate people the basics about wine taste. Wine is meant to drink for the enjoyment with food, friends and family. Unfortunately, many still think, based on the comments here, it's about image, labels and class, and just because the local wine store sales person doesn't know all the answers, it doesn't mean the wine is bad, some of the best wines I have ever had came from small, boutique wine stores that purchase from small mom and pop wineries around the world. Something you can't get from mass production wines. So what if it's a few dollars more, isn't it worth it that these small business owners take the time to purchase unique wines for your enjoyment, does it hurt to support your local small business wine store, where everyone knows your name and your taste. If you give it a chance, you may find you won't go back to the Big, corporate guys!! I used to work in a WS store. No, I was not sent to a “wine school” for training, but because I have a passion for wine I learned on the job. It really isn’t rocket science, but you should take the time to learn the basics. Most WS offer winetastings every week to educate people the basics about wine taste. Wine is meant to drink for the enjoyment with food, friends and family. Unfortunately, many still think, based on the comments here, it’s about image, labels and class, and just because the local wine store sales person doesn’t know all the answers, it doesn’t mean the wine is bad, some of the best wines I have ever had came from small, boutique wine stores that purchase from small mom and pop wineries around the world. Something you can’t get from mass production wines. So what if it’s a few dollars more, isn’t it worth it that these small business owners take the time to purchase unique wines for your enjoyment, does it hurt to support your local small business wine store, where everyone knows your name and your taste. If you give it a chance, you may find you won’t go back to the Big, corporate guys!!

]]> By: WS Owner http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-192161 WS Owner Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:59:23 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-192161 I previously owned a WS store and was attracted by the concept as to what it provided up front. The ability to not carry "grocery store" wines and provide smaller, lesser known but well produced wines from around the globe. I also made sure my staff was well trained, with the knowledge needed to handle just about all requests. We had quite a following and won awards for sales, Wine Club memberships and co-marketing. I even got a well-known and popular sommilier to work for my store, out of all the offers in that city. Some customers are just ignorant, such as one that wanted a well-known California Label's varietal that he had at his wedding. Unfamiliar with that varietal/label, I called the vineyard. A nice woman there informed me in the 35 years she worked at that label, she had never seen that varietal in their label. For this I was labeled the ignorant one. Or the customer who screamed at me that he got a well-known and expensive icewine at a fancy hotel in a city for $10 per 8-oz glass out of a 750-ml bottle and that his special order was a rip-off for me charging what I charged for a 375-ml. Again, the vineyard rep had never seen the 750-ml version in 25 years. The bar manager at that hotel also confirmed that he sold a 1-oz for $10 from a 375-ml bottle. Hmm, I was the thief here? Then there were the regular customers that would call, say I am having X for dinner or the boss is coming, pick me out a great bottle and we would have it ready to go when they arrived. The point is, any wine store is a combination of selections, staff knowledge and management's desire to be the best and provide the best service, regardless of size. Pick the one you like and support them; albeit the smaller ones will have the better experience. I had to close for personal reasons and moved out of that state and I have never found another good wine store. Even my wife is getting away from wines. And the WS in my new town? It is horrible, the exact opposite of how I ran my store. I visited once, called Corporate to complain and will never go back, except as a paid consultant. I previously owned a WS store and was attracted by the concept as to what it provided up front. The ability to not carry “grocery store” wines and provide smaller, lesser known but well produced wines from around the globe. I also made sure my staff was well trained, with the knowledge needed to handle just about all requests. We had quite a following and won awards for sales, Wine Club memberships and co-marketing. I even got a well-known and popular sommilier to work for my store, out of all the offers in that city.

Some customers are just ignorant, such as one that wanted a well-known California Label’s varietal that he had at his wedding. Unfamiliar with that varietal/label, I called the vineyard. A nice woman there informed me in the 35 years she worked at that label, she had never seen that varietal in their label. For this I was labeled the ignorant one. Or the customer who screamed at me that he got a well-known and expensive icewine at a fancy hotel in a city for $10 per 8-oz glass out of a 750-ml bottle and that his special order was a rip-off for me charging what I charged for a 375-ml. Again, the vineyard rep had never seen the 750-ml version in 25 years. The bar manager at that hotel also confirmed that he sold a 1-oz for $10 from a 375-ml bottle. Hmm, I was the thief here?
Then there were the regular customers that would call, say I am having X for dinner or the boss is coming, pick me out a great bottle and we would have it ready to go when they arrived.

The point is, any wine store is a combination of selections, staff knowledge and management’s desire to be the best and provide the best service, regardless of size. Pick the one you like and support them; albeit the smaller ones will have the better experience.

I had to close for personal reasons and moved out of that state and I have never found another good wine store. Even my wife is getting away from wines. And the WS in my new town? It is horrible, the exact opposite of how I ran my store. I visited once, called Corporate to complain and will never go back, except as a paid consultant.

]]> By: Wine Club Member http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-192153 Wine Club Member Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:21:17 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-192153 I can't believe what I'm reading. I'm a Wine Club member in the Frankfort location in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and these guys are great. You have to stop thinking about these stores with a "superstore" mentality and think about them for what they are: Great neighborhood shops! Cru Beaujolais? Really? Have you owned a business? That is less than 1/10 of 1% of the wine sold in the USA and you want them to carry that? Wow, that would surely put them out of business. I've been a Wine Club member for the nearly 4 years they've been open and have loved every selection they have given me. They know me, my taste and how to help me get the best bang for my buck. TJ's was my old go to. They didn't know me and, frankly, didn't care. The people at the WS in Frankfort go out of their way to know everyone who walks through the door. It's like Cheers! And they have free wine tasting every week, so you go and taste and you will get to know everything in the store. As for price, I'm a big fan of Duckhorn and pay less for it there than at Binny's as a Wine Club member. Don't take one experience and blow it out of proportion and don't put the little guy out of business for not having every wine you may ever want. I can’t believe what I’m reading. I’m a Wine Club member in the Frankfort location in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and these guys are great. You have to stop thinking about these stores with a “superstore” mentality and think about them for what they are: Great neighborhood shops! Cru Beaujolais? Really? Have you owned a business? That is less than 1/10 of 1% of the wine sold in the USA and you want them to carry that? Wow, that would surely put them out of business. I’ve been a Wine Club member for the nearly 4 years they’ve been open and have loved every selection they have given me. They know me, my taste and how to help me get the best bang for my buck. TJ’s was my old go to. They didn’t know me and, frankly, didn’t care. The people at the WS in Frankfort go out of their way to know everyone who walks through the door. It’s like Cheers! And they have free wine tasting every week, so you go and taste and you will get to know everything in the store. As for price, I’m a big fan of Duckhorn and pay less for it there than at Binny’s as a Wine Club member. Don’t take one experience and blow it out of proportion and don’t put the little guy out of business for not having every wine you may ever want.

]]> By: Steve http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-186034 Steve Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:04:29 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-186034 Here's an interesting article on who owns Trader Joes: http://wineeconomist.com/2009/01/13/wine-recession-and-the-aldi-effect/ Here’s an interesting article on who owns Trader Joes: http://wineeconomist.com/2009/01/13/wine-recession-and-the-aldi-effect/

]]> By: Pardon, Madoff, barrel motel, Saran Wrap, discussion - sipped and spit | Dr Vino's wine blog http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-185585 Pardon, Madoff, barrel motel, Saran Wrap, discussion - sipped and spit | Dr Vino's wine blog Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:03:13 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-185585 [...] pardon, few lists would include Fred Franzia for his federal offense (and, no, as much as reader Alberto would like, it wasn’t making Two Buck Chuck). But Franzia wants to own a gun. That’s [...] [...] pardon, few lists would include Fred Franzia for his federal offense (and, no, as much as reader Alberto would like, it wasn’t making Two Buck Chuck). But Franzia wants to own a gun. That’s [...]

]]> By: alberto http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-185514 alberto Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:59:27 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-185514 Louis, I appreciate the alternative perspective on this issue. I, however, counter with the idea that 2 Buck Up Chuck promotes the idea that cheap wine has to pretty much taste like garbage. There are myriad wines from Spain, France, Italy, and South America that are very inexpensive (at least in Chicago, but we tend to have competitive markets and hence comparatively cheap booze here) and still good. I've had the misfortune of trying 2 Buck Chuck on several occasions, each time marvelling how consistently awful it was. My approach is economic: if people stopped buying it, the evaporating demand would force TJ's to abandon selling the swill--or heaven forbid, make an effort to make it taste like wine instead of vodka-infused cool-aid. Peace & cheers-- alberto Louis, I appreciate the alternative perspective on this issue. I, however, counter with the idea that 2 Buck Up Chuck promotes the idea that cheap wine has to pretty much taste like garbage.
There are myriad wines from Spain, France, Italy, and South America that are very inexpensive (at least in Chicago, but we tend to have competitive markets and hence comparatively cheap booze here) and still good.
I’ve had the misfortune of trying 2 Buck Chuck on several occasions, each time marvelling how consistently awful it was. My approach is economic: if people stopped buying it, the evaporating demand would force TJ’s to abandon selling the swill–or heaven forbid, make an effort to make it taste like wine instead of vodka-infused cool-aid.

Peace & cheers–

alberto

]]> By: Vince http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-185307 Vince Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:13:12 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-185307 I think of TJ's as just another choice of buying experience like local wineries, Costco, independent wine shops, wine super shops and even chain grocery stores. I stick my head in TJ's every so often to see what's new and try one of their private labels. While i would never regard TJ's as a premier wine retailer I certainly do appreciate having more choices. I think of TJ’s as just another choice of buying experience like local wineries, Costco, independent wine shops, wine super shops and even chain grocery stores. I stick my head in TJ’s every so often to see what’s new and try one of their private labels. While i would never regard TJ’s as a premier wine retailer I certainly do appreciate having more choices.

]]> By: louis http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-184720 louis Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:28:22 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-184720 Oh Alberto...I can understand why you do not care for Charles Shaw, but telling people to stop buying it just plays into the whole notion that wine tasting and snobbery go hand in hand. While those wines may not be on the top of my list, they are hardly undrinkable. Illinois shipping laws are indeed crazy, so I found a great solution by going to Lynfred Winery in Roselle. They make all their own wines on sight in Roselle and offer over 60 options. They have addition stores in Naperville, Wheaton,and Wheeling and ship to select states. It's really a great selection and great tasting wine that wont break the budget! Check it out sometime, I know how Chicagoans love to buy local! Oh Alberto…I can understand why you do not care for Charles Shaw, but telling people to stop buying it just plays into the whole notion that wine tasting and snobbery go hand in hand. While those wines may not be on the top of my list, they are hardly undrinkable.

Illinois shipping laws are indeed crazy, so I found a great solution by going to Lynfred Winery in Roselle. They make all their own wines on sight in Roselle and offer over 60 options. They have addition stores in Naperville, Wheaton,and Wheeling and ship to select states. It’s really a great selection and great tasting wine that wont break the budget!

Check it out sometime, I know how Chicagoans love to buy local!

]]> By: alberto http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-184654 alberto Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:59:32 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-184654 I visited a wine styles (I live in Chicago) and was really not impressed. I prefer to shop independent shops, but sometimes... A couple of knocks on TJ's wines: Some of their house labels are pretty terrible, given they are cheap. 2 buck chuck is the WORST excuse for wine in the world today. STOP BUYING IT so that it can become a thing o the past!!!!!!! TJ's has a decent selection, off the top of my head Spain and South America come to mind, but I wouldn't shop there too regularly otherwise these selections would become old. Lastly, in case I wasn't clear enough, STOP BUYING TWO BUCK UP CHUCK!!!! Cheers... I visited a wine styles (I live in Chicago) and was really not impressed. I prefer to shop independent shops, but sometimes…
A couple of knocks on TJ’s wines: Some of their house labels are pretty terrible, given they are cheap. 2 buck chuck is the WORST excuse for wine in the world today. STOP BUYING IT so that it can become a thing o the past!!!!!!! TJ’s has a decent selection, off the top of my head Spain and South America come to mind, but I wouldn’t shop there too regularly otherwise these selections would become old.
Lastly, in case I wasn’t clear enough, STOP BUYING TWO BUCK UP CHUCK!!!!

Cheers…

]]> By: gary http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-184357 gary Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:05:04 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-184357 Tyler, sounds alot like Glen Ellyn (median income $96k) since there is a wine styles across the street from TJ's. There is a Karate studio in the WS strip mall, but next to TJ's is a Binny's. Probably wrong. Either way, never been to WS and only go to TJs in a pinch for wine as I don't care for their selections and as you say many things are private label. Most purchases I see are cases of Two Buck Chuck. Tyler, sounds alot like Glen Ellyn (median income $96k) since there is a wine styles across the street from TJ’s. There is a Karate studio in the WS strip mall, but next to TJ’s is a Binny’s. Probably wrong.

Either way, never been to WS and only go to TJs in a pinch for wine as I don’t care for their selections and as you say many things are private label. Most purchases I see are cases of Two Buck Chuck.

]]> By: Steve De Long http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-183778 Steve De Long Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:46:18 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-183778 It sounds like a opportunity for someone to open a good independent wine shop. Here's an excellent model: http://www.amantivino.com Sharon has prospered when most people in the biz said she would fail. Refusing to sell big brands like yellowtail and beringer - relying instead on her and her staff's knowledgeable and excellent tastebuds - has won her a loyal following. It sounds like a opportunity for someone to open a good independent wine shop. Here’s an excellent model:

http://www.amantivino.com

Sharon has prospered when most people in the biz said she would fail. Refusing to sell big brands like yellowtail and beringer – relying instead on her and her staff’s knowledgeable and excellent tastebuds – has won her a loyal following.

]]> By: Arthur http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-183631 Arthur Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:00:03 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-183631 Besides having some "house brands" of wine TJs also is known to buy up discontinued wines and vintages that producers are not very happy with. This does not mean all its wines are crap. Besides having some “house brands” of wine TJs also is known to buy up discontinued wines and vintages that producers are not very happy with.
This does not mean all its wines are crap.

]]> By: jason http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-183370 jason Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:17:43 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-183370 I've never experienced Wine Styles but would think Trader Joe's must be a clear winner. Granted you may not know most of the wines at either but a bad selection at TJ's won't set you back nearly as far as elsewhere. I've been chronicling my experiences there for a while and there are some ins and outs to to learn but I now have many more pleasant surprises then disappointments. If you need help weeding through the clutter here are my current favorites in <a href="http://jasonswineblog.com/2008/12/16/best-of-trader-joes-wine-top-10-wines-of-november-2008/" rel="nofollow">Trader Joe's Wine</a>. Cheers, Jason I’ve never experienced Wine Styles but would think Trader Joe’s must be a clear winner. Granted you may not know most of the wines at either but a bad selection at TJ’s won’t set you back nearly as far as elsewhere. I’ve been chronicling my experiences there for a while and there are some ins and outs to to learn but I now have many more pleasant surprises then disappointments. If you need help weeding through the clutter here are my current favorites in Trader Joe’s Wine.

Cheers,
Jason

]]> By: NWSIDEWINO http://www.drvino.com/2009/01/12/wine-styles-vs-trader-joes-who-wins-in-a-pinch/#comment-183328 NWSIDEWINO Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:14:27 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=2163#comment-183328 Wine Styles margins are the highest in the business since they have to pay franchise fee's, etc. A wine that sells at a large retailer for $10 will be $12 at a small independent neighborhood shop and $15 at Wine Styles. Also the staff usually has limited knowledge. TJ's would be OK in a pinch but most of their wines are private label or overstock wines. They do have some nice big name brands on the shelf in case of emergency! Wine Styles margins are the highest in the business since they have to pay franchise fee’s, etc. A wine that sells at a large retailer for $10 will be $12 at a small independent neighborhood shop and $15 at Wine Styles. Also the staff usually has limited knowledge.
TJ’s would be OK in a pinch but most of their wines are private label or overstock wines. They do have some nice big name brands on the shelf in case of emergency!

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