French Wine Exports Drowning

News24 [Cape Town, South Africa] ^ | May 29, 2005 | Adrienne Taylor [South African Press Assn]

[EGPWS]

Tasteful conveyance and one which is prone to show France as to what they truly are....

[ktvaughn]

I love French wine, and the bargains are great right now, so good for me. I got a lovely Cabernet from Southern France that was $8.79 for 1.5 liters just yesterday. It was wonderful, and try getting something really good from California at that price..tres impossible! I want to see the French get over this crisis, wine is what they have been doing well for centuries. Just as I want any industrialized nation (and our ally) to succeed.

[Clemenza]

I once had some very good Riesling from Michigan, although I can't remember the label. The best Riesling, IMHO, outside of Germany come from upstate New York.

The Californicators have never been able to make a Riesling that even approached drinkability. That and the fact that 90% of Californian Chards are heavily oaked to cover up the awful flavor has always made me skeptical of white wines from the golden state (although Sonoma, Napa, and even some Mendocino reds are among the best in the world).

[Paleo Conservative]

Damn straight. Of course, that won't stop me from sampling some of the "vins" at the Paris Air Show in two weeks. ;-)

Do people still park their Lamborghini Countachs on the Champs D'Elyse? I actually saw one parked there in 1984.

Do you think Boeing will announce the 747 Advanced at the Paris Air Show?

[xzins]

...yellow....

Hehhehheh...lol...I didn't see that. Shoulda, but didn't.

Kudos & thanks for the laugh!

[Paleo Conservative]

That and the fact that 90% of Californian Chards are heavily oaked to cover up the awful flavor has always made me skeptical of white wines from the golden state (although Sonoma, Napa, and even some Mendocino reds are among the best in the world).

I mostly prefer red wines like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

[Clemenza]

The BIG bargain in French wines are to be found in the South, particularly among Provencal Rose. Same goes for Italy, were you can pick up a bottle of excellent Sicillian Nero or Sardinean reds for $10-$15.

[DakotaGator]

...adding to the problems of French wines which are being asked to become simpler in taste to meet growing world consumption...

Wal gollee. I guess us'n hicks jest're too unsophisteecated to appreciate the nuanced taste of that there Frenchie toilet water!

Let them drink socialism.

[ktvaughn]

I agree completely about the over oaked CA Chards--give me a white Burgundy any old day.

Georgia (!) is producing some very nice wines, (we live in Atlanta), and we love to go the wineries and taste, but at $20-30, it's not THAT great. But the winemakers we know up there are commited and have a great love of wine, so we buy some wine to support them.

[investigateworld]

Ah that Pinot stuff from here is what they sell in France.
I think after the last 'root rot' episode, all French Vineyards are working off American stock?
One local winery is getting $90.00 a bottle for some years. I'm just as happy with the Jewish Optometrist eye test stuff (just kidding)

[Just A Nobody]

;*)

[Clemenza]

Do you think Boeing will announce the 747 Advanced at the Paris Air Show?

There has been much speculation as to that annoucement. Boeing will make their "official" announcement regarding the 777 freighter (with additional orders other than those for Air France). As far as the 747 Advanced is concerned, your guess would be as good as mine at this point. Someone at an industry publication told me last week that is was likely. I'd personally like to see who took the first order.

[Clemenza]

I usually drink Chablis with Oysters or lobster. Lately, I have discovered an outstanding Sav Blanc from Jackson Estates in New Zealand that works even better with lobster than Chablis.

[Goodgirlinred]

ROFLOL!!!!!!! We have perfectly wonderful wines made here in the United States. I toured Napa Valley last spring and the Sonoma Valley vineyards. The wines were excellent. Why would anyone want to drink French wine?

[grizzly84]

Guess they'll just have to lower their prices, people are just tired of French whine. You can actually get some decent stuff around here for less than $10 because it comes straight from Napa valley.

[blam]

Back-stabbing anti-Americanism has consequences...I wish the drop was more. Screw The French.

[ktvaughn]

I had a Sicilian wine recently and loved it!

My husband and I fell in love with the wines of Languedoc (Southern France) on our honeymoon. What those people just throw in jugs at the cafe's was unbelievable!

Our credit card didn't work in Chinon, and the hotelier let us stay there and fed us while we worked it out with the credit card company--try that at a Holiday Inn. ("Hey, our credit card is no good and we don't have any money, but can we stay here? We promise we'll pay you tomorrow!") It may be unpopular, but we found the French people warm and wonderful. (It was 6 months after 9/11, though, when they still loved us, LOL..)

[marmar]

The funny thing is that the french hate everything about us......except for our $$$$$$$$.

[Clemenza]

Had some negative experiences when I went to France as a 15 year old. My upcoming trip (for business purposes, although my evenings are free) will be the first time I have been there since that high school trip in 1991.

[Barnacle]

..a downward spiral which has plunged the sector into crisis and brought thousands of wine-growers out onto the streets in protest.

Let them drink champagne.