Do the rich deserve to get ripped off because they are rich?

Posted by: rodwsmith on 30 August 2014

A 'new' wine (Champagne) has entered the market. Or is trying to.

 

The London-based 'brand' (which in itself tells much) has been touting itself to all and sundry at the Monaco Yacht Show (a reasonable idea for placement given what they are doing, but it does expose that some of the claims on their website are merely aspirations) and I was asked for my opinion on it by three different people, so I did some digging.

 

I blogged about it here: http://www.rivierawineacademy.com/blog.php

 

In essence, it's a €30 wine in an 'octane-fuelled' Carbon Fibre bottle, for €595.

 

Fine.

 

But what they are claiming on their website is that is is a really good wine (well, they could hardly claim otherwise), and in the process exposing just a pile of ill-informed marketing nonsense, including a very unfortunate mis-spelling.

 

Maybe anyone who ends up buying this deserves all they get. But I find it genuinely sad that people who fall for this kind of nonsense may then - justifiably - come to the conclusion that all expensive Marques are similarly just style (or not) over substance. 
Krug, DP, Salon, Cristal et al are expensive because they have proved themselves over many years in terms of quality and style, and because they are the respective producers' best wines.

 

They come in fancy packaging because they are expensive, not the other way around.

 

I'm sure there is a hi-fi parallel here, or indeed with a lot of prestigious, premium products.

 

 

 

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by Bruce Woodhouse

A carbon fibre bottle is more valuable to me than 300mls of fizzy grape juice. Whatever the grape variety, provenance etc.

 

At least the bottle can be re-used.

 

C'mon Rod, you must accept that in your entirely honest and thoroughly decent way you are also involved in selling a product who's value is puffed by mystique, brand and image. I don't believe you could sell a great tasting wine in an anonymous untraceable blank bottle for the same price as one in a bottle of some vintage 'repute'. I also don't believe that all your clients are wine drinkers as opposed to wine bottle collectors (if you see what I mean). You are selling a mixture of brand, image and flavour. It is not just the latter that gives value.

 

Cheers.

 

Bruce

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by rodwsmith

I don't know what to say Bruce.

You really don't like wine. I get that. I don't see how it is in any way relevant to this discussion.

 

All grapes are not the same, as you must be able to see, irrespective of how much you loathe the end result. Some are black and some are green for starters. They taste different, and can be grown, as any crop, with the objective of maximum quantity, maximum quality, or some compromise between the two. They also fall victim to a large array of plant pests and diseases and how these are (or are not) dealt with will materially affect the quality and flavour of their juice. 

 

I sell some wines that have become absurdly expensive over the course of time, because there is more demand for them than there is supply (see posts above). The demand comes because of some perceived quality, creating rarity, and forcing the price up. You think this perception is bollocks and good luck to you. Other people don't and good luck to them also.

 

They are not, however, simply cheap wines in a different bottle. Which this stuff is.

 

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by Bruce Woodhouse

Rod I am gently goading you, I have no doubt of your integrity. I don't doubt you have a sophisticated appreciation of your products. I just don't believe all your clients buy on the same principles; but some are bamboozled by the mystique, cultural baggage and, yes, the cost.

 

Lets face it we are all subject to the subjective. I have bought cars because of the same stuff getting past my logical head (Alfa Romeo, twice) etc.

 

The 'value' of this bottle to its intended customers has nothing to do with the content. That does not make it wrong, even if it makes a bit silly to you (and me actually)

 

I have actually tasted a wine I quite liked this week. A dessert Montbazillac (spelling?) we bought in Cahors. Still rather have had a cup of tea though!

 

How do you feel selling a special wine to somebody who will never drink it? Does that happen?

 

Bottoms up

 

Bruce

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by Huge
Originally Posted by fatcat:
Originally Posted by Char Wallah:
Originally Posted by Adam Meredith:
Originally Posted by Char Wallah:

What is social injustice? Your neighbour has an atomic bunker and you don't, that's all,

"O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't."

 

Cockroaches and the rich.

 

And, probably, Ginsters pasties.

 

 

 

I know, it's a scandal.

Don't get me started on Ginsters pasties. I know a guy who won't eat a pasty if it's not a Ginster. whereas most people are quite happy with a Greggs. Although he is a pretentious prat.

If the cap fits, wear it.

If the pasty's edible, eat it.  If it's home made, you'll probably enjoy it all the more.

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by Lionel
Originally Posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

Rod I am gently goading you, I have no doubt of your integrity. I don't doubt you have a sophisticated appreciation of your products. I just don't believe all your clients buy on the same principles; but some are bamboozled by the mystique, cultural baggage and, yes, the cost.

 

Lets face it we are all subject to the subjective. I have bought cars because of the same stuff getting past my logical head (Alfa Romeo, twice) etc.

 

The 'value' of this bottle to its intended customers has nothing to do with the content. That does not make it wrong, even if it makes a bit silly to you (and me actually)

 

I have actually tasted a wine I quite liked this week. A dessert Montbazillac (spelling?) we bought in Cahors. Still rather have had a cup of tea though!

 

How do you feel selling a special wine to somebody who will never drink it? Does that happen?

 

Bottoms up

 

Bruce

Agree with both your posts.

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by Steve J
Originally Posted by Salmon Dave:
Originally Posted by Adam Meredith:
 Ginsters pasties.

 

Now there's a rip-off.

They aren't very good as Cornish pasties go, especially now they are available nationwide. The pastry is like cardboard. If you're in the Plymouth or Newton Abbot area then you must try my favourite, Ivor Dewney pasties. They're a small business that have been making and selling pasties since the nineteenth century. Delicious.

Posted on: 01 September 2014 by TomK
Originally Posted by Lionel:
Originally Posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

Rod I am gently goading you, I have no doubt of your integrity. I don't doubt you have a sophisticated appreciation of your products. I just don't believe all your clients buy on the same principles; but some are bamboozled by the mystique, cultural baggage and, yes, the cost.

 

Lets face it we are all subject to the subjective. I have bought cars because of the same stuff getting past my logical head (Alfa Romeo, twice) etc.

 

The 'value' of this bottle to its intended customers has nothing to do with the content. That does not make it wrong, even if it makes a bit silly to you (and me actually)

 

I have actually tasted a wine I quite liked this week. A dessert Montbazillac (spelling?) we bought in Cahors. Still rather have had a cup of tea though!

 

How do you feel selling a special wine to somebody who will never drink it? Does that happen?

 

Bottoms up

 

Bruce

Agree with both your posts.

Same here. If asked what my favourite wine is I'm liable to say "white".

Posted on: 02 September 2014 by BigH47

How do you guys rate the West Cornwall Pasty Co products?