
We started this section with the idea of providing readers with wine buying tips. Instead it has evolved into a section of comments about the retail trade, marketing, advertising, sales statistics and general comments about market trends.
The retail market has consolidated so quickly that our buying tips have been reduced to telling our readers to shop at the ‘big box’ outlets of Coles and Woolworths for the best run of the mill bargains. We won’t be stocking the big brand names so Glug will provide wine buyers with a more specialized range of wines, most of which will only be available on this site.
If we see a great wine bargain we will still let you know, though day in and day out the big chains give the best value for well known brands. |
The Story of Penfolds Wine Storage Cabinets and Old Fashioned Discounting
Friday, 5th September 2014 - David Farmer
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The marketing hype said this: "Clarke (Michael Clarke CEO Treasury Wine Estates) said TWE will launch its biggest ever consumer promotion next month. For any six bottles of Penfolds Bin Series or Icon and Luxury wines purchased, consumers in Australia will be able to purchase an exclusive refrigerated wine cabinet that stores up to 32 wine bottles at a significantly reduced price.
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Coles Liquor Shows Signs of Life
Friday, 1st August, 2014 - David Farmer
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Coles liquor (Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, First Choice) is a big business but they lost direction in the early 2000s and have since wandered aimlessly. They are not the tough, vibrant, number two to Woolworths, which we need, but instead a dispirited retailer with little to say. It is said that Woolworths make $450 million out of liquor while Coles make $40 million.
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The Dog Days of Being an Independent Retailer
Monday, 24th March, 2014 - David Farmer
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Retailing has its challenges but if you can buy the same products as competitors at a lower price you start the day a long way in front. The options then are; charge the same price as everyone else and make more money or become aggressive with prices to sell more and extend your advantage.
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Crumbling Brand Access Fees for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Monday, 17th March, 2014 - David Farmer
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Goodman Fielder and Pacific Brands, both sell many icon brands, yet struggle to convince retailers that they have 'brand power'. The big chains suggest the opposite is true as strip away the brand and what is dressed up as powerful is just a basic commodity. The grape vine is a productive plant and water and sun work wonders in making fruit that can be manipulated into an alcoholic beverage which has found favour for over 6000 years.
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Matua and Real New Zealand Being Made in Australia
Thursday, 27th February, 2014 - David Farmer
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Matua Valley |
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Australia grows good grapes and has high technical skills in wine making and to keep this production side humming along is surrounded by scientific institutions which provide answers to problems for the growers and makers.
On top sits a complex system of judging which sifts through the yearly crop and gives subjective but useful views on the quality being made.
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The 2014 Release of the Penfolds Bins
Thursday, 20th February, 2014 - David Farmer
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The yearly release of the Penfolds bin wines is a major event for providing a quality bench-mark and an image boost for Australia. The Bins are important for the financial health of Treasury and some analysts calculate that with the super premiums like Grange and St Henri, Penfolds accounts for +50% of Treasury's profit.
From the red wine experiments of Max Shubert in the 1950s Penfolds wines has grown into a very large family tree. Most times 50 wines can be purchased. more...
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Matua Marlborough and Vintrepreneur
Friday, 31st January, 2014 - David Farmer
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The Spence brothers, Bill and Ross, have a special place in the history of New Zealand wine as they planted the first sauvignon blanc vines in 1969 though these were on the North Island not at Marlborough. The first wine was made in 1973 the year the first vines were planted in Marlborough. more...
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Service and Shopping Experience versus The Deal
Thursday, 23rd May, 2013 - David Farmer
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Farmer Bros opened its first liquor store in the Canberra suburb of Manuka in June, 1975. The store was long and narrow and was fitted out in the usual manner though in the middle was a square coolroom with glass doors displaying beer and wines. The idea was that when you walked beyond the coolroom, you entered a private area, full of fancy wines, like a cellar. more...
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Personal Experiences with Mataro in Australia
Friday, 22nd March, 2013 - David Farmer
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'March Mataro Madness' is underway at Glug and we will do our best to get you to try this wonderful variety. We will win on this score as with every order this month you will receive a FREE bottle of really good Mataro'.
It is the business of wine and food magazines and their stable of wine writers to explain the qualities of new grape varieties. Australians are reluctant to try new styles, but bit by bit the wine fraternity chips away and overtime they expand the range of varieties that move from novel to familiar. Currently they are encouraging the adventurous to try varieties such as pinot gris and prosecco (sparkling wine) and reds like sangiovese, nebbiolo and tempranillo. more...
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It's Mataro - Not Mourvèdre
Friday, 15th March, 2013 - David Farmer
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Decades ago I owned a large bottle shop in the Sydney suburb of Waterloo. It's expensive real estate now but back then the hoods propped up bars in the local pubs, we often drank at The George opposite the shop, while down the side lane, Beaumont Street, the hookers relaxed between jobs.
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New Moves Selling Wine Online
Friday, 8th March, 2013 - David Farmer
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I have been at the direct mail business a long time. Back in the mid 1970s we did the page layouts with letra-set and now Ben writes a bit of code to place my stories on Glug. And this revolution has arrived just in the nick of time as the chains have the selling of wine from shops all tied up.
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The U.S. Oil Industry, Bordeaux and Australian Fine Wine
Monday, 11th February, 2013 - David Farmer
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The sudden and dramatic growth in production of gas and oil from 'tight shale formations' in the U.S. still has me shaking my head in amazement. Oil explorers have always known these reserves existed but working out how to extract the hydro-carbons for a profit seemed impossible. Where there is a will, a way will be found and small and medium sized companies beavered away in the background, I assume for decades, seeking answers.
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The Liquor Wars - Matt Skinner Appears
Monday, 19th November, 2012 - David Farmer
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The year 2000 must seem like another time for Coles liquor as back then they were the king. Now they are a distant second to Woolworths; but not a tough, vibrant second with a strong customer appeal. Rather a group with few ideas for growth and seemingly becalmed, a spectator not an aggressive competitor.
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A Black Swan Event Hits the West
Wednesday, 31st October, 2012 - David Farmer
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Lion Nathan announced on the 17th October it was closing the Swan Brewery. As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald; "Lion intends to transfer its WA keg production and the brewing of Swan and Emu to its West End Brewery in South Australia and its WA pack production to its James Boag & Son Brewery in Tasmania".
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When Does an Escort become a High Class Escort
Tuesday, 29th May, 2012 - David Farmer
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"A HIGH-CLASS escort has signed a statutory declaration alleging she had sex with the federal MP Craig Thomson". Sydney Morning Herald, 25th May, 2012. It makes no sense being an escort if you can become a high class escort as I assume the pay and conditions are better.
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The Story of Penfolds Wine Storage Cabinets and Old Fashioned DiscountingFriday, 5th September 2014
Coles Liquor Shows Signs of LifeFriday, 1st August, 2014
The Dog Days of Being an Independent RetailerMonday, 24th March, 2014
Crumbling Brand Access Fees for New Zealand Sauvignon BlancMonday, 17th March, 2014
Matua and Real New Zealand Being Made in AustraliaThursday, 27th February, 2014
The 2014 Release of the Penfolds BinsThursday, 20th February, 2014
Matua Marlborough and VintrepreneurFriday, 31st January, 2014
Service and Shopping Experience versus The DealThursday, 23rd May, 2013
Personal Experiences with Mataro in AustraliaFriday, 22nd March, 2013
It's Mataro - Not MourvèdreFriday, 15th March, 2013
New Moves Selling Wine OnlineFriday, 8th March, 2013
The U.S. Oil Industry, Bordeaux and Australian Fine WineMonday, 11th February, 2013
Wine and Innovation Fashions Fads and Targeting Consumers TypesTuesday, 11th December, 2012
The Liquor Wars - Matt Skinner AppearsMonday, 19th November, 2012
A Black Swan Event Hits the WestWednesday, 31st October, 2012
Queen Adelaide Becomes No Name GirlThursday, 28th June, 2012
The Seven Teachings of Harry Brown 1918-1999Friday, 15th June, 2012
When Does an Escort become a High Class EscortTuesday, 29th May, 2012
Multi-Nationals Looking for Desirable BrandsThursday, 3rd May, 2012
Extending the Sauvignon Blanc BrandSunday, 18th December, 2011
Coles Continues the War on Liquor Prices - Woolworths is BoredSunday, 20th November, 2011
Liquor Price War DeclaredSunday, 20th November, 2011
The Liquor Wars - Woolworths is Killing ColesTuesday, 8th November, 2011
The Brand Access Fee and Wines Labelled AC/DCTuesday, 16th August, 2011
The Good Taste of UK ConsumersTuesday, 16th August, 2011
Wolf Blass Eaglehawk at $4.99Tuesday, 12th July, 2011
The Battle for the Penfolds DollarMonday, 21st March, 2011
Woolworths and Coles Like the Taste of New Zealand SaveeMonday, 14th March, 2011
Putting the Bling Back in ChampagneMonday, 21st February, 2011
Real Wine Drinkers Discussing FavouritesMonday, 21st February, 2011
Keeping Up with the Big RetailersFriday, 11th June 2010
It's 2010 Not 2000Friday, 28th May, 2010
Grange Spin from Peter GagoFriday, 21st May, 2010
What are Wines Worth and Pointing WinesFriday, 26th February, 2010
Killing the Champagne BrandTuesday, 9th February, 2010
Champagnes - the New Leaders at HarrodsFriday, 5th February, 2010
Two Co-Branded Yalumba WinesWednesday, 27th January, 2010
Are High Priced Wines Worth the Money?Thursday, 8th October, 2009
The Strange Case of Wolf Blass VeraeThursday, 24th September, 2009
Is There A Connection Between Three Seemingly Different Trends?Thursday, 13th August, 2009
Tintara - An Exclusive Wine for Dan MurphySaturday, 1st August, 2009
The Fresh Food People Strike AgainSaturday, 11th July, 2009
We All Love a Wine BargainMonday, 6th April, 2008
The Strange World of Liquor Retailing in 2009Tuesday, 10th March, 2008
Awash In a Sea of SaveeMonday, 28th November, 2008
53 Million Cases to ManyWednesday, 19th November, 2008
More on Grays On-LineWednesday, 19th November, 2008
The Origin of the Fosters Multi Beverage StrategySunday, 9th November, 2008
Bargains or Not on Grays OnlineSunday, 19th October, 2008
Is It The End of Nine Glorious Years?Monday, 13th October, 2008
Will Virtual Wine Companies Work? Sunday, 31st August, 2008
A Story about Mixing Wine and BeerSunday, 17th August, 2008
The Changing Tastes of Wine DrinkersSunday, 17th August, 2008
The Really Bad News About Sliding ExportsWednesday, 13th August, 2008
Wine Facts, Trends, Fads and HopeTuesday, 20th May, 2008
The Steady Decline of Tier One Wine CompaniesFriday, 9th May, 2008
Is It All Too Hard at Fosters?Sunday, 24th February, 2008
Who Would Have Thought of This!Tuesday, 19th February, 2008
Thank Goodness for AldiMonday, 11th February, 2008
A Pleasant Day Online at Grays AuctionsFriday, 3rd August, 2007
Wine Prices, Point Scores and RetailingThursday, 2nd August, 2007
A Useful Marketing LessonThursday, 26th July, 2007
The Dan Murphy View of CleanskinsTuesday, 17th July, 2007
Wine Slabs for Queen AdelaideTuesday, 10th July, 2007
Cheers I Hope You Enjoy the Blue NunMonday, 14th May, 2007
Sauvignon Blanc Sweeps All Before ItSaturday, 12th May, 2007
They Do Things Differently in TasmaniaFriday, 11th May, 2007
New Zealand Grab the Number One SpotSunday, 6th May, 2007
Woolworths Keeps Hammering AwayTuesday, 24th April, 2007
The Liquor Retailer Who Forgot How to Retail - Coles LiquorlandSunday, 22nd April, 2007
Conversations with a Sydney Liquor MerchantThursday, 12th April, 2007
Woolworths Charges AheadSunday, 8th April, 2007
Do You Recall Recommended Retail Prices?Sunday, 8th April, 2007
Cleanskin Shopping at Dan MurphyFriday, 30th March, 2007
Fosters - the Incredible Shrinking Wine CompanyTuesday, 27th March, 2007
Please, Please We Need More CompetitionMonday, 19th March, 2007
The Slow Death of a Great Brand - PenfoldsThursday, 15th March, 2007
What Do Fosters and Coles Have in Common?Tuesday, 8th March, 2007
News on the 2007 VintageTuesday, 6th March, 2007
Dan Strikes AgainFriday, 23rd February, 2007
Liquorland - The Future of RetailingTuesday, 30th January, 2006
Australia's Top 100 WinesThursday, 7th December, 2006
The Return of the Price Fighting VortexSunday, 3rd December, 2006
Ah! To Make a Wine with Aspirational StatusTuesday, 28th November, 2006
The Unusual Marketing at Brown BrosTuesday, 7th November, 2006
English Speakers Embrace WineTuesday, 17th October, 2006
What Comes After Barossa Pearl and Ben Ean?Monday, 18th September, 2006
High Alcohols and Bad Press About Australian WineThursday, 14th September, 2006
Crown Lager Crashes the Wine WeekendTuesday, 29th August, 2006
Rosemount Slides AwayWednesday, 23rd August, 2006
Wiping Your Hands and Ducking for CoverTuesday, 15th August, 2006
Talking with English Wine Merchant, Noel YoungFriday, 11th August, 2006
The Sky Darkens for RoséphobesWednesday, 9th August, 2006
Doing Hand Stands at the DorchesterTuesday, 1st August, 2006
How Does $5000 a Bottle Sound for Ch. Petrus 2005Tuesday, 25th July, 2006
We Did It Because We CouldMonday, 24th July, 2006
Wine Prices and MillionairesThursday, 22nd June, 2006
Why Are Cleanskins So Popular?Friday, 26th May, 2006
Rosé Raises Its Ugly HeadWednesday, 24th May, 2006
The Release of the 2001 Grange and Old MemoriesThursday, 11th May, 2006
A Retailer With a Sense of HumourMonday, 17th April, 2006
What About the Steak Knives?Monday, 10th April, 2006
Little Penguin Joins Yellow Tail in Top TenFriday, 7th April, 2006
Grange Over Priced Says AuctioneerTuesday, 21st March, 2006
White Drinkers Move Up While Clean Skins Take Red Drinkers DownWednesday, 8th March, 2006
Woolies Keeps Growing While Coles Plays Catch UpWednesday, 8th March, 2006
Gobbledegook from ColesTuesday, 21st February, 2006
Great Vintages Growing on TreesTuesday, 31st January, 2006
An Insight Into Clean SkinsTuesday, 31st January, 2006
Retail Concentration ContinuesFriday, 16th December, 2005
Big Box Number SevenThursday, 15th December, 2005
Fine Wine Price Slump PredictedSunday, 9th December, 2005
BEATEN!Tuesday, 6th December, 2005
'Two for' and '20% Off for Six' - Retailers Follow the Changing LeaderWednesday, 30th November, 2005
Coles Performs Predictably PoorlyFriday, 11th November, 2005
The Chasm Between Woolworths Liquor and Coles Liquor Will Create ProblemsThursday, 3rd November, 2005
And the Strong Get StrongerThursday, 27th October, 2005
And No Wonder - The $2.99 Wine Bottle is BackThursday, 27th October, 2005
The Clean Skin Surge ContinuesThursday, 27th October, 2005
Could it be True - Rosé is Rising?Thursday, 13th October, 2005
Bargain Priced, Well Made French WinesMonday, 22nd August, 2005
A Taste of Cleanskins from Dan MurphyThursday, 18th August, 2005
Winestate Recomends Orlando Jacobs Creek Reserve ShirazWednesday, 17th August, 2005
The Price Vortex Gathers SpeedWednesday, 3rd August, 2005 [Sydney]
Woolworths Quietly Rebadge First Estate to BWSSaturday, 30th July, 2005
It’s All Happening at the Dee Why Hotel, the Northern Beaches, SydneySunday, 24th July, 2005
Some Thoughts for Ms. Lucas - Liquor Retailing in AustraliaSunday, 24th July, 2005
The Price Fighting Varietals and the Spiralling Price VortexSunday, 24th July, 2005
What Does the Tussle Between Woolworths and ColesMyer in Liquor Mean For Wine Consumers?Thursday, 16th June, 2005
Wynns Cabernet for $16.99 and Thoughts on Clean SkinsFriday, 13th May, 2005
High End Wines Catch a ColdSaturday, 16th April, 2005
The Release of the Penfolds 2002 Bin Reds plus a Great RieslingMonday, 28th February, 2005
A Good Cheap French ChampagneFriday, 28th January, 2005
One of the Best Buys in RedWednesday, 21st November, 2004
The Good Times Are With UsWednesday, 17th November, 2004
Glug visits the Adelaide Wine ShowFriday, 8th October, 2004
Shopping at LiquorlandFriday, 1 October, 2004
A Great Kiwi, A Great Italian And More 2002 RedsWednesday, 29th September, 2004
The Barossa Wine Show, September, 2004Monday, 25th September, 2004
A Quick Trip to Dan Murphy'sFriday, 24th September, 2004
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