The Wall Street Journal has gone into the wine trade – a highly unusual step in American newspaper publishing.
The New York-based newspaper has established WSJwine, a department that offers to deliver to readers and the general public in 33 American states 'quality wines of outstanding value,' domestic and foreign.
Consumers can buy single bottles, regular cases and mixed cases through www.wsjwine.com, by phone or mail.
The inventory consists of everyday and fine wines as well as rarities, some that come from small-production vintners and are 'not readily available in stores,' WSJwine said.
Direct Wines, a firm that WSJwine says sources wines in 20 countries, is managing the sales and deliveries.
WSJwine says wines will be delivered by licensed retailers 'in compliance with each state's established legal procedures.'
Under its new owner, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, The Wall Street Journal is undergoing a transformation from a business to a general-news publication.
Its wine critics, Dorothy J Gaiter and her husband John Brecher, write a column that has proved popular with readers for years.
The Journal's announcement comes days after reports that amazon.com will start selling wine online to consumers in 26 states.
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Wow, journalism as we know it has died. The WSJ hawking wine just floors me. The lines between editorial and advertising/sales are now so blurred, I don't know who to get real news from anymore without wondering the motivation behind the stories. Why doesn't the newspaper begin taking reservations for the restaurants they review, or selling computers, gadgets and other products they review? What is to stop them--they have already crossed the line.
This is very sad to me. I will never purchase wine from the WSJ, nor will I have any confidence in their wine reviewers either.
Christina Kelly, Spokane, WA, USA
Murdoch must have been crossing his fingers when he promised little or no editorial fiddling, etc. This is a stereotypic example of a company not knowing or respecting the iconic gem that WSJ was. Most of us get to lose our virginity just once. That loss of reputation came very quickly after he took over from the Bancrofts. They might not be the world's best business people, but they respected the Journal's integrity. I let my subscription lapse and, when I happen to see new copies, am glad I did.
John Anderson
This is a strongly positive step for consumers. Amazon and the WSJ may never represent more than a small slice of total wine sales, but the entry of such behemoths into the marketplace will slowly augment pressure on the states to rationalize their wine laws to reflect 21stcentury business reality, not the demands of the distribution monopolies.
Joel Goldberg (no relation)
The first two comments are baffling. The Wall Street Journal sells wine. How does that effect reporting in the paper? They sell advertising too, probably for some of the products they review. This is how all newspapers and magazines work. It is how the staff gets paid and the owners profit. Last year, Eric Asimov of the New York Times promoted a case of wine he put together with a NYC wine retailer ,,, and more ominously – he wrote about it (it was a good collection). His writing has held up nicely after that commercial adventure. Perhaps Ms. Kelly and Mr. Anderson should try to look beyond their preconceptions and consider the actual event they are commenting on before spouting their prejudicial views.
Jim Kaye, Asheville, NC, USA
I'm a long time subsciber to the Wall Street Journal. I'm not an expert on wine. I've got a natural cellar under my house where I keep an inventory of around 200+ wines, almost all red of various varieties from around the world. I ordered the promotional case ($69.99 + $20.00 shipping) which included a free corkscrew. There was almost no information on "what" was being shipped. I trusted that WSJ would not lend their name to a sub-par operation. I was so wrong. Upon receiving the case, shortly thereafter, I opened a bottle of "Chateau LaBourdette Bordeaux 2005". Dreadful. Little fruit, no mouthfeel, sour taste and no finish. Thinking that breathing might help, I let it sit..for a hour...two hours..overnight. It still had the personality of an unwelcome guest you wish would go away. And finally when it didn't leave, I simply poured a third of the bottle down the sink.
After this initiation, not wanting to risk my taste buds further, I googled opinions of two other wines in this case (Warburn Estate Shiraz 2008 & Bliss Cabernet Sauvignon 2007). At best, these are average wines, not the "premium'" quality touted by all the glossy marketing and descriptions you'll find on the website.
Conclusion. Overpriced plonk. Remedy. Get to know someone in your local wineshop.
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Wow, journalism as we know it has died. The WSJ hawking wine just floors me. The lines between editorial and advertising/sales are now so blurred, I don't know who to get real news from anymore without wondering the motivation behind the stories. Why doesn't the newspaper begin taking reservations for the restaurants they review, or selling computers, gadgets and other products they review? What is to stop them--they have already crossed the line.
