Comments on: Why does Warren Buffett hate oenophiles?

By: utweb4

utweb4 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:59:36 +0000

I can only speak for tennessee but there are many more choices for consumers than in the big box and chain stores.Our prices are very competitive. Consumers here can still order the hard to find wines across the world. By the way there are plenty of wines that wholesalers would love to carry but the wineries want only to sell direct. Have you ever checked out the winery price on line and then go to a local store. The price is about the same and that is without shipping cost which is usually about 2 to 3 dollars per bottle. So I am not sure why the wineries are not selling it for a whole lot less.In Tenn.there are more wholesalers than in most big states.That brings competition.

By: Joe_Cz

Joe_Cz — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:37:03 +0000

To take a contrarian position, one might hypothesize that Buffet loves enophiles, as by investing in wine distribution companies he is betting on continued growth in wine and spirits consumption in the U.S.
Nice tabloid-esque headline, though. It got me to take notice of the piece.

By: wineriff

wineriff — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:23:22 +0000

The heavy hitters in alcohol distribution are making a serious play at a monopoly on distribution. David White’s point about Warren Buffett betting on the wholesalers and distributors is very disturbing. There is now even more money behind the push to pass HR 5034. That’s a lot of lobbying muscle to an already strong lobbying group. Unfortunately it will be the consumer’s choices and ability to get these wines that will be the casualty in this effort, not to mention the thousands of wineries and breweries.

By: jbmcc99

jbmcc99 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:08:48 +0000

Hi, you wrote <> Not necessarily. Buffet could simply see that major brands--the kinds wholesalers are really built to handle--are underrepresented, or poorly distributed in TN. Or, he might have realized that Horizon is just plain inefficient and can easily double its operating margins by making a few small changes. Even if direct shipping for wine becomes possible in all 50 states, it won't put a dent into wholesale sales for the Gallos and Beringers of the world. My guess is that he sees the direct shipping issue as interesting but irrelevant.

By: gonzo0013

gonzo0013 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 07:46:02 +0000

Good article. It is interesting to learn about all the ways our government is scamming the public with absolute impunity. This also gives good speculation for what might happen as “medical marijuana” becomes more mainstream; unless we can somehow convince our government officials that they will be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.