Tough issues

Markus,

Dreary stuff. Hopefully the “New Wines Of Greece” campaign can be resuscitated. Not precisely my cup of tea (I’d rather see videos of vineyards than talking sommeliers) but I know nothing of marketing.

Regarding the discounting of Gai’a Thalassitis at your AB, could you please elaborate? Is the point you are making that AB is simply taking lower margins to move product, or that the winery is being squeezed to accommodate this new, low domestic retail price? If the former, it’s a good deal for consumers, and maybe some foreign wine geeks, hearing this, will board a plane, drink heartily, and boost the Greek economy a bit. Not so bad. If it is the latter, the question is why the winery (and its foreign distribution apparatus) aren’t using the “opportunity” to promote exports. The “excess discount” (and that is really all we are talking about – the difference between the 40% mark down mentioned and what a more normal sale price would be) should, instead of being “offered” to AB, be extended abroad to set the stage for greater sales and distribution. What are the facts?

Best,

Steve Schran

P.S. Where do you vacation in Lakonia?

Kyparissi, a beautiful prize at the end of a breathtaking but fearful road. Not so dissimilar to your professional life.

Cheers.

P.S. Should you happen to find yourself a bit bored, a short drive south repays handsomely (but you probably already know of it): http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9344330