Comments on: the “smarter wine” idea

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:13:41 +0000

Hugh,
Another insightful look at the world from an outsider. Although I don’t feel that wine (and bespoke suits for that matter) are a commodity as opposed to technology and Starbucks coffee, there is a need to rise above the clutter in any size market. Note that real wine is always in beta, that’s what makes it interesting.
Jason

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:27:41 +0000

Half of the time I have no idea what you are about in some of your posts Hugh, but the fact that you consistently say these things like in number 7, and actually appear to effort change, effectiveness and cut thru some of the crap for us in the non-marketing/non-tech work world is one of the reasons I continue to read everyday-gives me hope! That and you’re a cutie cartoonist who makes me laugh and think too

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:02:43 +0000

No need to guess what you’re doing with ‘Blue Monster’.
“2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to change the world.” — MacLeod
Most definitely the FLOSS rants help. And though the M$ Business Model is the ‘evil empire’ it is NOT the softies who are. Let us not forget that without M$ and IBM, regardless of what we feel about their ethics, or lack of, computing would hardly be the ubiquity it is today.

By: scott radtke

scott radtke — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:28:41 +0000

I am a wine drinker and I also own a bar so I have some idea about what folks want and some of the obstacles they face.
I can’t agree more about your approach, while some may buy into the whole “wine porn” or some blather about a wine lifestyle, most wine buying is a more humble experience. Robert Parker, the biggest wine geek of all, has a shut up and drink mentality. Do you like the wine? Then it’s good and you don’t need an expert to tell you one way or another.
WHAT’S LEFT IS TO CONNECT. Walk into any wine shop or supermarket and you know that in there is a bottle — or ten — for you, but have no idea where to start. If you don’t have that special someone in-store who knows you, it’s up to the winemakers to help. This goes way beyond making a fancy label. Many awesome wines are plain to ugly on that score. You need to bring more to the game.
It’s an interesting dilemma. You’re a brave man Macleod.

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:55:01 +0000

Typo fixed, Lloyd. Thanks for the pointer.
Yeah, it’s fun watching people guess what I’m up to with Microsoft. Especially the anti-MSFT Open Source guys. I wonder if they realize, the more they rant here, the more they’re helping me out, and indirectly, MSFT as well…

By: Lloyd Davis

Lloyd Davis — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:37:54 +0000

I do find it fascinating that despite the fact that you continue to make it very clear you’re in the wine business, people think the Blue Monster is about you getting into tech.
btw, you’re quoting Russell Davies, not Russell Beattie — our Russell’s name is much easier to pronounce

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:24:14 +0000

Sounds like Gary has found himself a nice wee niche, Susanna. Good for him
Yes, nice wee niches in the wine biz do actually exist, but overall it’s a tough-ass business, that’s for sure.

By: Susanna

Susanna — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:19:31 +0000

Interesting post. #6 makes me think of Gary, a friend of my Dad’s. He has a vineyard, and he is passionate about growing the best grapes. We got to tour his vineyard a couple years ago, and it was fascinating to learn all the little details about what he does to get the best harvest possible.
What Gary does not do, though, that many neighboring vineyards do, is run a winery. He has had some of the wineries he does business with make small batches of wine just for him that he can sell or give to clients and friends. But he doesn’t do the whole promotion, public tasting, etc. deal. He just focuses on growing great grapes, which he sells to wineries both big and small. And even in a tough business climate, he is doing very well.

By: Seth E

Seth E — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:05:06 +0000

Despite all the vineyards, I still think there's a major gap in the wine industry/trade. Of course, I speak solely as a consumer, but in my expierence no one has a "my wine" whereas most people have a Vodka , a Whiskey, and a beer that they consistently drink (btw, Stoli, Jack, and Harp). The reason for this, I think, is because of the "clutter". I doubt non-affcianados could name one of the world's million vineyards, nor should they have to, nor should they need to. If a wine company is really "smarter", they'll save the consumer from having to be.