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Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2005 > December > 08 > Entry
Trader Joe’s Responds
The folks at Trader Joe’s have responded to the 12-2-05 Uncorked posting on “A Trader Joe’s Wine-Buying Experience,” an entry that triggered more than four dozen spirited comments and replies.
You’ll recall that the upshot of the original posting was that a Trader Joe’s spokeswoman in California was telling me that two wines on the TJ’s shelf here in Dayton, Ohio, were the same color, and that any difference in hue that I perceived must be from the tint of the bottle.
A photo we included in the 12-2 posting of the two wines side-by-side in identical stemware (see below) seemed to suggest otherwise.
“We kind of goofed,” said Audrey Dumper, Boston-based vice president of marketing for Trader Joe’s east coast and midwest stores.
Trader Joe’s has investigated the two versions of identically labeled 2003 Chiaro del Bastardo Italian white wine and concluded that …
… yes, they seem to be two different blends, Dumper said. And they’ve pulled all of the Bastardo whites off the shelves of all of the Trader Joe’s stores in Ohio while they try to figure out what caused the inconsistency.
All wines that go into TJ’s stores have to go through a tasting panel, Dumper said. “When we approved it, we only approved one” version, she said. “We’re dismayed that we had two different blends on our shelves, but now, everything’s pulled.”
Trader Joe’s folks had taken the word of a supplier when they passed along the “It-must-be-the-tinted-bottle” explanation.
“We weren’t trying to dupe you or anything,” the TJ’s VP said.
So sayeth Trader Joe’s.
Cheers!
Mark Fisher
Upon further review, Trader Joe’s has determined that these two wines are indeed different. (Photo by Jim Witmer)
Comments
By Midlife
December 16, 2005 2:43 PM | Link to this
I would just like to make an observation on the reaction to the TJ’s staffer’s original response. As one who spent many years inside a very large retail operation, I can tell you that, too often, people asked such questions are not in physical proximity to the product involved, so they rely on others who are. It took me just a few mistakes like this to realize that I had to have one of my ‘own people’ take a look at the problem, first-hand, so that I could be sure of what the real issue was. It would not, however, be that unusual for someone in a company with close and trusted supplier relations to go directly to the supplier in a case like this. Had the staffer been in a position to see the problem with their own eyes, it would have been obvious that the bottle was not the cause. This is the fault of someone at the supplier, who came up with the “it can’t be the wine” response. Based on the photos, it is, to me anyway, very difficult to explain this as ‘excessive oxidation’. If nobody has complained of an off taste in the darker wine, it’s much more likely a case of different fruit or blending, I’d think. Anyway, I’ll get in line with those who think Trader Joe’s is so good at what they do that they need to have the benefit of any doubt in this matter.By Rick
December 14, 2005 12:38 AM | Link to this
Very interesting discussion. I vote Cost Plus over TJ for Wine, though I do venture into the snobbier chalets. I usually do prefer the Aussies, Chileans, and U.S. offerings to the French and Italians. I especially enjoy hunting a $7.00 bottle of wine that runs circles around a $30.00 bottle. But when I’m entertaining I want to be confident about what I am serving. It’s good to remember I can’t just trust the label even if it reads the same year, etc… So, any of you ever get arrested for drinking in the parking lot?By cathy
December 12, 2005 1:33 PM | Link to this
Hey! I thought this was the friendly blog! Please, let’s not attack other bloggers or berate or talk down or call names. Of course, we don’t need to always agree with each other, otherwise the blog would not be much fun, but for heaven’s sake, please respect others’ opinions! OK? Okay. Anyway, it’s true that we here in the Dayton area are truly lucky to have many fine indie wine shops, and BTW, I include DLM in that mix (definitely not your typical grocery store selection). None of the wine specialists in any Dayton-area shop has been snobby to me, and I try to buy most of my wines from locally-owned shops. But yes, I’ll admit I occasionally still enjoy checking out a fun bargain at TJ’s. :-) And please remember to be nice.By Tom Gasson
December 12, 2005 1:17 PM | Link to this
These both could have come from the same winery. Even if not it sounds like the dark colored version was a victim of oxidation. This can occur when a different tank is bottled, or even the same tank is emptied later on a separate bottling run. If the wine in the tank is not sparged properly at any time you can get the dreaded “color change” from exposure to oxygen. Interesting that some people liked the flawed wine. The acidity you tasted was probably from added tartaric acid as the winemakers were frantically lowering the pH to create a more hostile environment to eliminate bugs that like to go after an oxidized wine and they probably jacked up the sulfur to save the batch. That only exacerbates the loss of fruit and increases the perception of acidity. The distributor probably doesn’t even know there is a problem until it is in their warehouse. What to do? Just put it out there and no one will notice? ‘FRAID NOT WITH MARK FISHER ON THE PROWL! Kudos to TJ’s anyway for being forthcoming.By ToddN
December 11, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this
Just a quick note to urge everybody to check out the article MJ suggests reading :http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2005-11-10/news/feature.html by Mark Stuertz entitled “Sour Grapes� ‘At Tony’s Wine Warehouse, there’s a sucker born every minute’ This will indeed make you glad that we have a really good line up of small, independent wine shops to choose from in this area. As Mark often points out, this really is one of the best wine markets in the country. Cheers.By jens at cincinnati wine
December 9, 2005 10:25 PM | Link to this
Great reporting Mark, and kudos for Trader Joes for admitting a possible bad buying situation (at least it wasn’t the oysters!), but it does make you wonder about the local wine buyer who let it the two wines stay on the shelves. I would say also that it shows the power of blogging, but Mark does have a “paper” behind him to pull some power. And finally, Ms. Dumper says that she has pulled all the wine. Ms. Dumper! Get it? jens at cincinnati wineBy spratt
December 9, 2005 1:47 PM | Link to this
Way to go wine-o!!!By wine-o
December 9, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this
After such a personal attck Mr. Williams I feel it necessary to respond to the gross innaccuracies in your statement. 1) In no way did I mention price of wine as a factor. I enjoy many inexpensive (9.99 or less) wines from many parts of the world. 2) I am quite familiar with how the wine industry works and buying bulk on exclusive brands leads to the fault found in the article above. Call it the WalMart syndrome, and eventually all that will be left will be the large scale brands, but at least your Yellow Tail will be cheap. 3) “Ponsey and snobbish” wine shops can sell their wine at state minimum pricing, just like TJs. If they choose to mark up their wine that is their business, but most do not. So the wine there is no more expensive than anywhere else in OH. Thankfully, we have many artisan shops that have a wide range of wines at all prices from small producers throughout the world. Because you are intimidated by the many options that you have never heard of is no reason to blame the shop. Would you prefer to have only three brands to choose from? If TJs and Meijer get their way that is all that will be left. 4) There is well-known variation in Charles Shaw from one week to the next, as many who enjoy the wine will tell you. This is a product of inconsistent rush-job processing of whatever grapes they can find. This works sometimes. Sometimes it does not. When you make a million cases at $40 a case it happens. I am not making this up. 5) Maison Louis Latour produces about 100 different wines. Some of these are expensive, many are not. There is a difference between a $6.99 Latour Chard. and a $25.99 1er cru Chablis. If this bothers you then you should open a wine book and find out what the difference between the two is.By MJ
December 9, 2005 9:54 AM | Link to this
My sincere apologies for double posting (slow time of the year on the supplier side of the wine trade!), but if you want to read an outstanding article about someone who is all about what is wrong with the wine retail trade, link to this article from the Dallas Observer. http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2005-11-10/news/feature.html It is a brilliant piece posted on November 10, 2005 by Mark Stuertz entitled “Sour Grapes” ‘At Tony’s Wine Warehouse, there’s a sucker born every minute’ I promise that it is a mesmerizing read and will make you pretty non-plussed by this one incident at Trader Joe’s.By MJ
December 9, 2005 9:40 AM | Link to this
So they are two different wines from different blends, which is pretty much what was surmised from the beginning of this affair. First off, it happens all of the time. Take a look on the shelf at just about any label’s White Zinfandel and you will likely see varying hues of color in the bottles from light ruby to salmon orange from the same vintage. The real question on the Trader Joe’s situation is if either of the two blends are inferior wine. Sounds like from the posts that no one has said that either are undrinkable plonk. As for the Costco/Trader Joes vs. independent retail store argument, it’s all about what you are comfortable with. Costco and Trader Joe’s do not enjoy lower pricing in Ohio because of the state mandatory mark up laws, but they do in other states. You generally have more limited availability of selection in a Costco or Trader Joes for the most part vs. a high end independent retailer: and the other difference is that in a well run independent wine store you can find someone who knows the wine, has probably tasted the wine and can make recommendations on wine that are tailored to your budget or event/dinner. You sometimes pay more for this service and for the size of their selections. Some people love this added benefit and are willing to pay a slight premium for it and others just take the no-frills, best deal approach. You may like eating at a five star restaurant and are willing to pay for the atmosphere, staff knowledge, impeccable wine selection, fresh, top quality food ingredients and their cost of holding a large cellar of wine or… you just may want to grab a burger at Fridays. That’s the choice anyone has and there is no right or wrong, just what you feel is best or most comfortable for you. While the first explanation from Trader Joe’s about the bottle color turned out to be misfortunate and ill-informed, I do applaud their ultimate response to the situation and their willingness to take action. I also applaud the article that Mark wrote in the first place. It is nice to have a set of eyes and ears in the market that is aimed at protecting and informing the wine buying public.By Wine-Wench
December 8, 2005 11:48 PM | Link to this
Hey! I agree with Doug… let’s not create any more ‘issues’ with TJ’s stock… or else they may not have that terrific wine I really, really like — at a price I can afford. (I’m not saying which one, ‘cuz I don’t want ya’ll to buy it all out from under me.) Ya’unnerstand Mr. Smart Guy? Okay then. :)By Bob Williams
December 8, 2005 11:40 PM | Link to this
Wine-O, It’s people like you that think just because a wine is expensive it must be good. I guess you are not familiar with bulk buying saves $$. I think 2 buck chuck is excellent value for money. The reason why ponsey shobbish little wine shops on the corners of fancy streets have such high prices is because each month they buy 1 or 2 cases and pay obscene rent. Whereas guys like Traders buy several hundred thousand cases work on a small margin so their customers only benefit. Pretty much like costco. Classic example; Louis Latour Chardonnay sells at TJ’s for $6.99 or less. In a ponsey wine shop, other labels of Louis Latour sell for $25+ Nevermind, If you don’t get it now, you never will.By wineguy
December 8, 2005 11:37 PM | Link to this
Where I live there are two stores: GROCERY OUTLET and BIG LOTS which both have better wine bargains than TJ. Of course you still have to do the parking lot thing, but the price is right.By wine-o
December 8, 2005 10:42 PM | Link to this
Hogwash! TJ’s had no choice in the matter but to take not so swift action. They were serving two different wines of obviously different levels of quality/freshness and Mark Fisher called them on it. He was given a lame reply that was intended to quiet the matter, assuming that he was either too lazy or not wine-savvy enought to tell the difference. He called them on it again, in print, and this time they realized that action should be taken lest a wine firestorm ensue. If anyone out there thinks that this is an isolated incident then why do you open your Two Buck Chuck in the parking lot to see if it is good this week?By STEPHEN HILL
December 8, 2005 9:38 PM | Link to this
I concur with Tom. Here in California, TJ’s is extremely concerned about customer satisfaction. Glad Mark got the ball rolling on this issue. Think both sides of the issue won.By Brian C.
December 8, 2005 9:18 PM | Link to this
See!! told you there would be a logical explaination. I went down to my local TJ’s and bought all 15 bottles sitting on the shelf before anyone got smart and did the same! I’m sipping my deep colored Italian white and I must say great stuff! I shall be enjoying this wine over the holidays with my family. Certainly an entertaining read and, I would have never discovered this wine if it wasn’t for this article. Keep those fab deals coming TJ’s!!!By Lillian Sullivan
December 8, 2005 8:48 PM | Link to this
I appreciate and admire a company who is paying attention to what their customers are saying, and when it’s not complimentary - they admit their mistake and take action to make it right. That kind of attention will make me a loyal/continued customer. Even if not for wine. I’m 100% behind Jessica and Chris at Cuvee and won’t buy anywhere else!By Doug
December 8, 2005 8:35 PM | Link to this
Oh, great! Now that they’ve pulled it from the shelves, what’m I gonna drink for the holidays, Mr Smart-guy?!By Tom
December 8, 2005 7:39 PM | Link to this
Well done, Trader Joes. And well done, Mark Fisher. Good story, great result.By Mike
December 8, 2005 4:33 PM | Link to this
I would have hoped that the management at Trader Joe’s would make things right once they realized they had a problem. The company seems to be truly responsive to their customers. They seemed more than willing to provide a mea culpa once they realized something was indeed wrong with the wine in question. I don’t often buy wine at Trader Joe’s but those that I have purchased from them have been more than adequate wines for daily use. I doubt I would purchase a wine from them that was for a special occasion — better to go to Arrow, DLM or other local shops in Dayton or Cincy when searching for a special wine.