Customer Reviews

Wine a Global Business

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book might be the first one available to deal with the (inside of the) wine business, it is definitely not a good one.

Being an M.Sc. B.A. by education, a teacher of managerial accounting by profession and a wine buff, I think I am able to comment on the quality of most chapters.

To begin with, there is considerable overlap between chapters when it comes to (e.g.) the discussion of the U.S. three-tier distribution system and of the financial peculiarities of the industry.

More importantly, the contributing authors mostly fail to deliver new insights to the business, as you may expect from either professionals or academics in relevant fields.

Somehow it gives the impression of a rush job, not well thought through and not well edited. I would not recommend it, not to interested wine enthousiasts, not to starting professionals, not to students, in short: not to any of the target groups the editors claims the book would be interesting for.

The editorial review indicates that the context of this book are directed to the Wine Business professional. With that in mind I purchased it. A big dissapoinment. The contexts might be of interest to readers that have no notion of the Wine Industry, offering no insight or new information for anyone already involved in it.

Most of the chapters outlines are nothing more than previously published data with very basic information on the topics.

"The Global Wine Business for Dummies" should had been considered as a better title.

There are thousands of books on wine published every year but only a few are written by professionals for professionals. This is a welcome exception, covering the basics in wine marketing and distribution with some interesting examples from the US and Australia. I find this essential reading for every serious wine student and my only objection is that the quality differs somewhat from chapter to chapter due to the multitude of authors engaged in its production. On the other hand, there are no other books available covering these subjects.

I've been looking for books describing the business side of wine. There is really not much out there. This is the best I've seen so far. Though it is obviously designed to be more of a textbook for college students, it covers all of the basics and helps one to understand the big picture of the major business issues in wine ranging from accounting, HR, marketing, finance, legal, and general enology and viticulture issues.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the wine business? It's probably no more difficult than what you do now, but any expertise you bring from past experience will be of limited application. It is the confluence of traditional capital intensive agriculture, government regulation, dynamic marketing, and intense global competition, and as such, special rules and strategies apply.
Wine: A Global Business the first book dealing comprehensively with this topic, has been edited by my good friend Dr. Liz Thach and Tim Matz, President/Managing Director for Jackson Estates Wine International. Both Mrs. Thach and Mr. Matz are acknowledged experts in their fields and have brought together 40 influential authors from industry and academia.
I know, being a textbook it sounds dry, but it's not (Except for the accounting section)... If you have an interest in the business surrounding wine, there is no substitute. The information provided here is unavailable anywhere outside a classroom.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Wine: A Global Business

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Elizabeth "Liz" Thach, Ph.D., is a wine business and management professor at Sonoma State University in Rohert Park, CA. 14 years at the management and executive level within Fortune 500 companies, as well as doing consulting and research in the wine industry.
Tim Matz is President/Managing Director for Jackson Estes Wine International - the corporate division of Kendall-Jackson wines. Prior to this role, Tim was Vice President & General Manager for Imports at Beringer-Blass Wine Estates where he managed all their international wine brands in the US and Canada.

SYNOPSIS
This is the first book to tackle the global wine business in a comprehensive manner. The Editors, Liz Thach and Tim Metz, together with the contributions of their selected expert's authors, have carefully woven all aspects of the wine business. Wine: a Global Business will help all of us, whether we are already firmly rooted in the wine business or young aspirants, to understand the forces at work, the winning strategies and decisions for success in the wine business of the 21st century.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Gina Gallo
This book offers an extensive overview of the global wine business. A must have for any one who is interested in developing successful strategies to compete in the new world wine marketplace.
- Wine maker, Gallo of Sonoma

Robert G. Mondavi
Promoting education on wine business principles such as marketing, strategy, finance and social/environmental responsibility is a laudable effort. This book does an excellent job of address these and other wine business issues.
- Chairman Emeritus Robert Mondavi Corp

Adam M. Strum
Liz and Tim have created an excellent read for the novice wine industry member as well as the veteran who wants to expand his knowledge in areas which are less familiar.
- Editor and Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

As someone who is just learning the business side of the wine industry, this book covers all of the basics. I found it very helpful! Vivian Olsen