No Products in the Cart
Costco, as a major retailer, has played a significant role in the commoditization of wine. Here are some ways in which Costco's business model has contributed to this trend:
Bulk Sales and Low Prices: Costco is well-known for its bulk sales and offering products at discounted prices due to its high purchasing power. This approach extends to their wine offerings, where they sell wine in large quantities at lower prices. By offering wine at a lower cost, Costco encourages consumers to view wine as a more accessible and affordable commodity. Not an agricultural product--let alone artisinal.
Private Label Brands: Costco has its own private label wine brands, such as "Kirkland Signature." Private label wines are produced specifically for the retailer and often offered at lower price points. This reinforces the perception of wine as a commodity, emphasizing price and value over unique characteristics or terroir. Frequently, grapes that did not make the cut for a major brand's wine get sold to co-packers for private labels.
Limited Selection and Consistency: While Costco offers a broad range of products, including wines, their wine selection is limited compared to specialized wine shops or boutique wineries. This approach promotes a consistent and uniform wine shopping experience, further contributing to the perception of wine as a commodity rather than a diverse and nuanced product.
Focus on High-Volume Wines: Costco tends to focus on high-volume, well-known wine brands that are widely recognized and often mass-produced. While this can be appealing to a broad customer base, it can contribute to a homogenized perception of wine and may overlook smaller, artisanal wineries. To invoke sentiment from Part 1 of this blog, if we all keep reaching for the same wines everything will eventually taste the same. So much for limited production wines.
Emphasis on Consumer Ratings: Costco often displays ratings and reviews for their wines, using external scores and accolades to help consumers make purchasing decisions. While this can be helpful for consumers, it also places an emphasis on numerical ratings, potentially overlooking individual taste preferences and contributing to the standardization of wine appreciation. Does a 90 point rating even mean anything anymore?!
Limited Wine Expertise: Costco's staff may have limited wine expertise compared to specialized wine retailers or sommeliers. While they may provide assistance, the focus on low prices and high-volume sales may overshadow the education and exploration of wine nuances.
It is important to note that while Costco's approach has contributed to the commoditization of wine, it also serves a significant market segment, making wine more accessible and affordable for many consumers. Inclusiveness is wonderful. However, for those seeking a deeper connection to wine's diverse and artisanal aspects, other specialized wine shops and wineries may offer a more curated and personalized experience. At the risk of sounding shamelessly biased, shop with independents.
The story begins in 2013 when Brazilian billionaire André Esteves and a group of investors took the reins of Argiano, a historic winery in Montalcino, from Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano and winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers. This change in ownership marked a strategic shift back to the roots of Brunello winemaking, fueled by a commitment to tradition and excellence.
The wine industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, with the emergence of the online wine shipping market playing a pivotal role. This evolution has brought unprecedented convenience to wine enthusiasts, changing the way we discover, purchase, and enjoy our favorite wines. In this blog, we'll explore inflection points, market capitalization, and forecast for the future of the online wine shipping industry.
So, you've heard it all before: Cabernet Sauvignon, the undisputed ruler of American vineyards and the wine world.
When it comes to wine, the term "vintage" often gets tossed around, and it can...
Ownership details of the Trump Winery have undergone some changes over the years. According to legal notices on the winery's website, it suggests that the business is now Eric Trump's personal project, operating under the name "Eric Trump Wine Manufacturing LLC."
Meghan Markle's passion for fine wine is no secret, and one of her all-time favorites was Antinori's Tignanello. Tignanello is a highly regarded Italian red wine, known for its rich and complex flavors, and it served as a precursor to the Super Tuscan wines. Meghan's love for this wine went beyond the palate; it became a symbol of her appreciation for luxury, such as owning a personal helicopter like Piero Antinori, the patriarch of Marchesi Antinori and the maker of Tignanello.
But what made the Cabrera gift stand out was how it diverged from the norm of players often being gifted Rolex watches from teams and teammates. But Cabrera plays for the Tigers so it is likely that his team will be gifting the legend something more befitting of his stature in baseball history. As for the bottle of Caymus he likely left in the opposing team's dugout after the game, here's hoping it finds its way back to the individual in the Athletics' front office who hatched this brilliance.
Planning an event can be a delightful experience, especially if you can afford an event coordinator but when you're the one in charge it can be cumbersome. There a slew of details to consider like the food, venue and seating charts. Y̶o̶u̶ ̶d̶o̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶A̶u̶n̶t̶ ̶A̶g̶n̶e̶s̶ ̶s̶i̶t̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶n̶e̶x̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶e̶x̶-̶h̶u̶s̶b̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶w̶i̶f̶e̶.̶ Most importantly, because this is a wine blog, determining the right amount of wine to order per guest can be the biggest head-scratcher. Balance is everything and we will unpack in this blog how to strike the perfect balance between just enough and overindulgence.
