Bordeaux wine exports sink in 2004 (USA sales plummet, boycott is working!!!)

Expatica ^ | January 7, 2005 | AFP

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

BORDEAUX, France, Jan 6 (AFP) - Bordeaux wine producers announced more depressing export figures Thursday, with sales to the United States down by more than a third in a year.

Overall exports from the historic wine region of southwest France were down 10 percent in volume and 24 percent in value for the first three quarters of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003, according to the Interprofessional Council of Bordeaux Wine (CIVB).

Exports to the United States were down by a massive 35 percent in volume and 59 percent in value, and sales to Britain down by 21 percent in volume and 33 percent in value, it reported.

In all the region sold 1.27 million hectolitres in the year to October, for EUR 786 million (USD 1,037 million).

The only good news was an increase in sales to Russia and the Asian market.

French wine-makers are going through their worst crisis in decades thanks to competition from new producer countries and falling domestic consumption.

[MikefromOhio]

I can't really boycott Wine because I don't drink wine, but I boycott boycotts anyway....

PING!!! :)

[Slyfox]

Oo la la!

[kittymyrib]

Haven't bought anything from France since before the invasion of Iraq. We love the Australian and Chilian wines we've discovered since then. I don't miss French products at all.

[sinanju]

I've been reading that a lot of this has to do with the frenchies failing to adopt new technology added to the fact that France really is not the best place in the world to grow wine grapes by a long shot.

I don't know from winemaking however, does anyone out their know the details.

[ProudVet77]

There are quite a few high quality California wines too.

[GSlob]

Before claiming ALL the credit for boycott, one should consider that dollar depreciation put price pressure on French products in general. So only part of the credit goes to boycott, and it would be interesting to know how large a part. I'd guess maybe 40-50%.

[26lemoncharlie]

I also prefer American Cheese with my American Wine! It has a lot to do with the Earth that produces it, the Chemical ans Biological makeup of the soil. The French soil has way to much Bull Shit in it, ruins the taste!

[LIConFem]

I've found some excellent Aussie wines as well. One of my favs is [ yellow tail ] Shiraz. Wonderful table wine, especially for the price.

As for French wines, although I don't usually do boycotts, I haven't purchased a bottle of my (formerly) beloved Lafite in several years. Excellent wine, but I'll get along just fine without it.

[Popman]

French wine-makers are going through their worst crisis in decades thanks to competition from new producer countries and falling domestic consumption.

35 percent down in US wine exports might, maybe, could have something to do with it also. Just maybe.

We simply don't want to drink your yellow bellied, sap sucking, arrogant pigs, surrender loving, wine anymore :)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I normally boycott boycotts as well but I happily say, "Non!" to the french.

[holymoly]

Le boo. Le hoo.

[Rusty0604]

I also quit buying their drinking water, and check to see where my cosmetics are made before buying them

[Chu Gary]

"Haven't bought anything from France since before the invasion of Iraq. We love the Australian and Chilian wines we've discovered since then. I don't miss French products at all."

I fly to Asia 2x per year using frequent flyer miles. When I schedule, I tell Delta I'd prefer to go via Europe (better connections) but I refuse to land in France or fly on Air France, a Delta partner, which would shorten my trip by 3 - 12 hours. They understand just fine.

[Conspiracy Guy]

wine sux

[ETERNAL WARMING]

I'll NEVER buy another bottle of French wine.

[Nick Danger]

[etcetera]

Muslims aren't supposed to drink alcohol.
Russians prefer vodka.
Maybe they can get their Chinese friends to buy it.

[Victor]

I make wine in my own garage. I know how it's done.

Having said that, French wine is certainly excellent. The thing is, they (the French) have monopolized the mystique for too long. It's like, of course only the French know how...

French winegrapes are excellent...but so are Napa/Sonoma. And Australian, and Chilean. I recently tasted a Pinot Blanc from South Africa...excellent.

Did I mention the Reislings and Sylvaner from Germany?

I almost left out the Brunello and Barolo from Italy; the Tokay from Hungary.

Oh, and the Tempranillo from Spain...yikes. The best.

Well, you get the point. There's good wine from all over the world. Even from your own garage, if you're so inclined.

[sweetiepiezer]

A new wine for seniors
Here is a new California wine......

Wine For Seniors
California vintners in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produces
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new
hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic. It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom during the night.

The new wine will be marketed as Pino More.