We've had a wonderfully busy fall with our Tuesday Night Tasting Events and Designer Showcases. Through it all we have realized the many parallels in the Jewelry and Wine worlds. The sole purpose of each is for the recipient's enjoyment, and we have surely enjoyed "tasting" both.
When you read the label of a wine bottle, you can expect somewhat how it will taste, but until you pop the cork, you really don't know. Just like jewelry, you can see a photo and read a description, but until you try it on, it is hard to know whether or not you like it. That is why these tastings have been so much fun. Our customers have been able to try on jewelry pieces we don't normally have in the store, and able to try great wines from local wineries before investing in a bottle.
So, how can a 2014 Merlot be $5 at the grocery store and $35 at a local winery? How can a 1 carat diamond solitaire vary so greatly in price. Quality and quantity are the answers to both questions. The chain store who purchases 200 of the same mounting to sell can sell it at a lower price than the family-owned store who works with the designer who makes rings to-order. The grocery store wine was mass produced by a large company that, due to quantity and less oversight of each individual bottle produced, can sell their wine for less. The local family who grows the grapes, battles the weather, harvests the crop, and makes the wine has invested more time and effort into each bottle and the product shows it.
The past two months have flown by (because we've been having fun!) We have loved seeing all of our guests and look forward to our last couple "Tuesday Night Tastings" (November 22 and 29) before December has us in full Christmas mode. It has been so well received, we're thinking of making it a regular monthly event. |
