Posted on 12/08/2004 2:24:09 PM PST by kupia_kummi
French wine exports are in their sixth successive year of decline. Thousands of winemakers have staged protests in the streets of France to demand government help over falling exports and a slump in domestic sales.
Demonstrators in Avignon, Bordeaux, Macon, Angers, Nantes and other towns rallied behind black-draped tractors.
They blame over-production, shrinking exports and a government campaign against alcohol abuse for what union leaders call a "crisis" in winemaking.
France's agriculture ministry said it would meet industry leaders next week.
The unions want the government to provide money for farmers wishing to move from vines to other crops and greater compensation for uprooting unprofitable vineyards.
They are also threatening legal action against a state advertising campaign to combat alcoholism which they say is unfairly hitting demand, although no decision has yet been taken.
A sign draped on a picking machine in Avignon read, "They want the winemakers' death", Reuters news agency said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Winemakers or wHinemakers??
French wines are too expensive, and not as good as California wines.
"Thousands of winemakers have staged protests in the streets of France"
If you had treated the USA better in the past maybe you wouldn't have to be running around in the streets today. You could instead be working overtime to keep up with production.
Viva la France Boycott!
We're learning.:)
ive gotten my doctors sold on Proseco, the Italian "champaigne" it is much better and not french. i would rather drink italian wines than anything out of france or germany, though germany does make a great red wine.
If you look at the start of the "war on terrorism" and the lack of French support and the boycott of French wine by Americans; I think you will find a very peculiar parallel. LOL
Not blowing a Texas horn, but screw the "f"rench, and their wine. Go grab a bottle of Merlot from Texas. IMO, the majority of US wines taste better than anything the "f"rench have on the market (MD20/20 being the exception , of course). Support what we have here. Buy local!
Oh yeah, Texas link: Best weekend ever!
http://www.tourtexas.com/grapevine/gpvnevents.html
//Stopped drinking "f"renchy wine three years ago.
Dontcha just love it when a plan comes together?
Sounds like a strategy for losing more sales.
For some reason, I can't help but picture those two anti-freeze adding French wine-makers who exploited Bart Simpson.
Screw 'em! ;^)
Maybe you French vinegar barons could switch from grapes to tobacco.
Thy're mad at MAD-hee,hee,hee.
California Wine has made zee French wine......how do you say......passe.
Several French Champagne houses have California sparkling wine operations. And they’re no weak sisters, either. In fact, many think the non-vintage California wines may be as good as or better than non-vintage French Champagnes, and certainly they are better values at $12 to $18.
As with their French counterparts, the California sparkling wine wineries are in cooler climates (Sonoma and Mendocino counties) and use the same grapes, primarily pinot noir and chardonnay with some pinot meunier. This produces a richer taste than sparkling wines made from grapes in other countries. The richest wines have the highest percentage of red pinot noir. All chardonnay sparklers, called blanc de blanc are the lightest. The 1992 Domaine Carneros Le Reve is an elegant California blanc de blanc from the house of Taittinger. Domaine Chandon’s Blanc de Noir, made from pinot noir, is a consistently good full-flavored sparkling wine from Moet & Chandon. Maybe the best California sparkling wine of all is Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley NV.
Too bad for the Frunch! Pass the Ripple, will ya!
....and a slump in domestic sales
-----
Wow, apparently even the French don't like French wines.
I'm glad to see you mention Roederer Estates Brut, but I would recommend you purchase it in magnums or larger. It ages differently and becomes even more elegant. My favorite sparkling wine is their L'Ermitage.
(French wine exports are in their sixth successive year of decline. Thousands of winemakers have staged protests in the streets of France to demand government help over falling exports and a slump in domestic sales.)
This is a symptom of a socialist government. When you see the market reject your product, you go whining to the government! WIMPS!
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