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Here's the big problem for the French: wine lovers around the world are discovering wines NOT bottled in France. I've been checking a number of issues of Wine Specatator magazine and they have been talking for the last 7-8 years about excellent wines coming from Portugal and Italy in Europe, Australia and the USA which as just as good as the French wines but at much lower prices.

Small wonder why so much French wine is ending up being converted for other uses lately.

I studied French for many years, spent time there, and found the people to be very pleasant, and friendly to Americans like myself. Sadly, that was 25 years ago. I haven't been back in over 20 years. I still enjoy a French wine from time to time, usually as a remembrance of good times I spent there. St. Emilion is a small town that seems almost biblical, with its steep narrow cobble stone streets.

Anyway, these days I drink a lot of wines from here in NC. I am not sure how widely available they are, but if you get a chance to try wines from West Bend Winery (I recommend the Chambourcin), Raylen, and Rag Apple Lassie wineries, all here in Forsyth and surrounding counties.

Hmmm, UNC just beat NC State, maybe I'll crack open a bottle.....