[Bob J]

France could try making better wine at a more competitive price. The top labels will always find a buyer if for nothing more than the mystique that surrounds them. Too many french wines in the lower 80% are thin, overpriced or unmemorable.

[tortoise]

The top labels will always find a buyer if for nothing more than the mystique that surrounds them. Too many french wines in the lower 80% are thin, overpriced or unmemorable.

There is often very little difference in quality and taste between the $200-400 first-tier label and the $20-30 second-tier label from the same chateaux. Which tells you approximately how much you are actually paying for the trendy label.

The Pichon-Lalande properties actually produce some really fine wine at very reasonable and competitive prices, and always have. The exchange rate is killing them though.