French Wine Exports Drowning

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

[quidnunc]

Paris – French wine exports sank again in the first quarter of 2005 confirming a downward spiral which has plunged the sector into crisis and brought thousands of wine-growers out onto the streets in protest.

"Global over-production in 2004, which is put at between 10 to 20 million hectolitres, is pulling prices down and adding to the problems of French wines which are being asked to become simpler in taste to meet growing world consumption," said Louis-Regis Affre, an official from the French Federation of Exporters of Wines and Spirits (FEVS).

Apart from champagnes and sparkling wines, exports of French wine dropped some 13.0% in value and 13.2% in volume in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, FEVS said.

This adds to the misery seen in 2004, when French wine exports lost some 9.2% in value, of which some €752m ($943m) were lost in just the first quarter.

The French government recently unlocked €7m in aid in a bid to throw a lifebuoy to the country's wine producers, but for many it is merely a drop in the ocean.

"It's very little in relation to what is actually needed, and the framework to implement it isn't even in place yet," said Affre.

On Wednesday, thousands of producers took to the streets of the southern city of Nimes in the Languedoc-Roussillon region demanding further emergency measures to save wine-growers from disaster.

-snip-

[50sDad]

And of course, it can't be that Americans stopped buying the snooty stuff...

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Too f****** bad, so sad.

[stboz]

We went over to Paso Robles yesterday. Great wine, great weather. Adelaida Reserve Zin is just awesome.

Maybe I'll buy a bottle of Louis Jadot now that the Froggies have rejected the EU constitution.

[50sDad]

And of course, it can't be that Americans stopped buying the snooty stuff...

[Texas Eagle]

Paris – French wine exports sank again in the first quarter of 2005 confirming a downward spiral which has plunged the sector into crisis...

Heh, heh. Call it The O'Reilly Factor.

[MizSterious]

Over-production, or that Americans have had enough of their swill? I continue to avoid buying anything French.

[Texas Eagle]

I'm not much of a wine drinker but friends of mine who are insist that Oregon wines are much better than French wines.

[vetvetdoug]

I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

Or is it the smell of the French wine industry melting?

[EGPWS]

French Wine Exports Drowning

Finally, the world in total is sick of the French and their whine!

[ladyjane]

So they're protesting in the streets and 'demanding' emergency measures.

C'est domage!

[investigateworld]

There are several French owned wineries within a few miles of me. They even import the empty bottles, fill 'em and ship them back to France.
Yamhill County bump!

[xzins]

Except French's Mustard....and even then I think generic tastes the same. :>)

Wine is a funny thing. I'd rather go to a local winery and taste what I'm buying than dump cash on guesswork from a grocery shelf.

Support your local wineries. You'll find YOUR favorites.

[gorush]

C'est la guerre!

[The_Reader_David]

"Become simpler" what condescension! How about become better, more consistent?

There's a reason Aussie wines aren't allowed at blind tastings in Paris any more, an it doesn't reflect well on the French wine industry.

[muir_redwoods]

The problem for the French is that American, Australian, Chilean and even New Zealand wines are comparable or better at the same price. Who would pay for French when domestic or Pacific wine is better or cheaper or both?

Worse news for the French, Mexico is beginning to make very good wines.

[Texas Eagle]

Where in Yamhill is Yamhill County?

[EGPWS]

On Wednesday, thousands of producers took to the streets of the southern city of Nimes in the Languedoc-Roussillon region demanding further emergency measures to save wine-growers from disaster.

At least in the USA we have a leader with vision that sees what disaster is and has the knowledge and fortitude to prevent it!

[Clemenza]

The French have been exporting their high-end bordeauxs and burgundies for years in the belief that American customers would pay the high price due to the qualitative factors involved. Since the "quality revolution" in New World (US, Argentina, Chile, Australia, etc.) wines, however, they are no longer able to justify such "snob pricing." The rise in the Euro hasn't helped either.

France does produce quality, low cost wines, but doesn't export them. I will pick a few up when I am in Paris for the Air Show, but they would be insane to think that yours truly would ever pay $60 for a Burgundy (Pinot Noir) when I could get an Oregon Pinot of superior quality for a third of the price (and support American farmers too!).

[TexasCajun]

Let them eat grapes!