S it true? Dottie and John out at WSJ?

WvanGorp · December 15, 2009, 8:16pm

Rumor ia that Dottie and John have been let go by the WSJ. Any word on this?

Vincent_Fritzsche · December 15, 2009, 8:55pm

Alice F. tweeted yes, then no! That’s all I got.

Dan_Hammer · December 15, 2009, 11:11pm

Oh my.

I owe my early wine education to them, and Wine Spectator. I enjoyed reading their column every Friday (now Saturday). It was the only reason to buy the paper. Their folksieness encouraged a lot of rookies to experiment and taste ‘the grape’ (as they’re fond of saying). Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) has been a lot of fun these past 10 years.

They’ll be missed.

Sean_Connor · December 16, 2009, 1:19am

Well, Mike Miller has another reason to hate Rupert Murdoch, not that he needed any. Dottie and John, welcome to the club. You know you can get a 65% subsidy on COBRA.

Steve_Ritchie · December 16, 2009, 2:15am

I hope it’s not true, but given the state of publishing these days, I am not optimistic.

I too had my first introduction to wine from John and Dottie and their first book was my first book on wine. Agree with them or no, they have such a disarming style and a genuine love for all wine can be. You can’t help but smile when you read their columns. Unless, of course, they are cracking the whip on CA Chardonnay.

I am confident that with or without the WSJ, they will be a force in the wine world. I wish them luck-- they have a loyal reader here no matter what happens!

C_Grimm · December 16, 2009, 2:47am

I would think they are something of a draw for newsstand sales.

That said, and maybe it relates, it seems like we haven’t been consistently getting the two pieces a week from them.

John_Morris · December 16, 2009, 4:41am

Only until Dec. 31, unfortunately.

Jim_Karegeannes · December 16, 2009, 11:34am

There are probably numerous opportunities for them if the rumor is true. Anthony Bourdain says his personal appearances are the most lucrative thing he does now.

Sean_Connor · December 16, 2009, 1:10pm

They should still be able to get their 9 months assistance. See Q2 (short)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-cobra-arra.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PR_K_e_l_l_y · December 18, 2009, 6:32am

Well, this week’s Wine column is under the byline of a Will Lyons whose email address is via WSJ Europe. In fact, the wine prices (for Aussie Shiraz) are quoted in pounds sterling! Australia Shifts to Terroir - WSJ

Overall, I’ve enjoyed Dottie and John’s take on wine over the years and OTBN will certainly be their legacy to the community of wine lovers everywhere. It will be interesting to see where they end up.

Dan_Hammer · December 18, 2009, 1:07pm

Over the years, when I sent them an e mail, they always responded quickly. My e mail to them this time has not been responded to.

Daniel_Posner · December 18, 2009, 1:28pm

Everything on the internet is true.

Nathan_Smyth · December 18, 2009, 6:38pm

I got back into this hobby when I read their review of the 1993 Wynns Michael [a rare “Delicious**!**”] and, after calling all the shops in central NC, was able to find the 1994 at Chrish’s place.

Sigh.

Good times.

PS: To this day, the 1994 Wynns Michael is one of the very best wines I’ve ever tasted.

I had my last bottle a few years ago, and it seemed to be on a very nice trajectory towards immortality - I wish I had a few cases of it.

Nathan_Smyth · December 18, 2009, 6:40pm

When I was a newbie, I once sent them an email about the proper serving temperature for Sauternes, and got a reply back within hours.

T_Altmayer · December 18, 2009, 11:47pm

This would be really sad for me. When I was a regular subscriber, I really enjoyed reading their weekly articles. I agree with others who have posted that OTBN is a great legacy.

Just checked online and they posted an article dated 12/19, so they are still there as of tomorrow.

Alice_Feiring · December 21, 2009, 5:16pm

Yes it is true. They will probably announce it in this weeks paper. The search is on for their replacement.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · December 21, 2009, 5:18pm

I vote for Leve and Coelho.

ToddFrench · December 21, 2009, 5:25pm

Replacements? It’s not just downsizing?

Dan_Hammer · December 21, 2009, 5:31pm

I didn’t receive a response back from John and Dottie, but I did receive a response back from the WSJ weekend editor in Europe (after I sent an e mail).

Dear Dan,

Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher are continuing their wine column in the U.S. Journal.
Here is a link to the most recent column:
The Best Wine Values of 2009, at $10.99 and Under | Tastings by Gaiter and Brecher - WSJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Still a bit odd that J&D didn’t return my message. Maybe they’re away… or maybe not.

PR_K_e_l_l_y · December 24, 2009, 7:16pm

Today was their last WSJ article: Log in · Dow Jones

This is our 579th—and last—“Tastings” column. The past 12 years—a full case!—have been a joy, not because of the wine but because we had an opportunity to meet so many of you, both in person and virtually. Thank you.
Hopefully they will be going on to bigger and better things.