It’s not really a secret: Japan loves vending machines. So it’s not really surprising this newest (and quite unique) model is made in Nippon, too: A vending machine that lets you buy luxury wines through a pre-paid card. The machine is supposed to soften the negative effects the current recession has for wine lovers.
The vending machine is operated by the Goss Wine Bar in Ginza, Tokyo’s poshest neighborhood. All customers need to do is to insert said pre-paid card, select a bottle of wine among 24 different kinds and watch how the wine flows into their glasses. Reportedly, customers enjoy the fact that they can actually see the bottle before they drink the wine and that they can now taste expensive wines in smaller quantities.
The Goss Wine Bar claims the number of customers has risen by 20% in September (when compared to September 2008).
Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]
Here in Orlando, Winter Park specifically, there is a wine-bar that uses these vending machines as well. It’s called the Wine Room, and they’ve been in operation for a few years.
It’s great and I take all visitors I get there for the experience!
You know this really isn’t anything new and not unique to Japan, right?
A movie theater in SW Washington (outside of Portland) has had this for years. They were in the local news after first installing it because of the potential state liquor law violations.
Remember, just because it is new to you doesn’t mean its new to the world.
Just wait ’til they introduce the cannabis automats, with pre-paid cards and facial recognition. ;)
These are not new. Just Grapes in Chicago was one of the first US retail stores to employ one of these systems.
justgrapes.net
Is this news? A bistro that I frequent in the countryside north of D.C. has had a larger, fancier version of this for over a year.