Posted on 05/29/2005 3:11:18 PM PDT by 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.
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(Excerpt) Read more at finance24.com ...
Perhaps that frog Chirac will give the wineries some of the UN graft $$. Or would that be to franc?
Halfway between Portland and Salem, then towards the west.
Why in the Samhill did you ask?
Ditto
Oregon has some fine wines...better beer, though.
Don't forget to show their flag when buying your wine.
A single white bed sheet will be sufficient.
"Wholesalers can go to Spain and buy wines at half price, but I don't have the right to go there and buy half-price pesticides," he added.
Ah yes, as if that won't spark retribution from your fellow Socialist nations.
Kind of gets you...right in the funny bone.
Just trying to start a conversation.
Just overpriced here. It's not unusual to buy wine in France for $5 an buy the exact same bottle, year and all, for $100 here.
There's lots of good wines from all over the world that are at least as good but lots cheaper than French wines.
"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."
Mexico... and China. I hear that China is coming online in a few years.
And for that matter, now that the Supreme court has knocked some sense into the protectionist state legislatures (including mine here in Michigan) we can finally get our hands on the great little labels produced in various places around the USA.
For instance, that little Chateau Chantal cherry wine from Michigan is really really good after you've frozen it once... great with friend(s) and a hot tub.
Damn straight. Of course, that won't stop me from sampling some of the "vins" at the Paris Air Show in two weeks. ;-)
Hey! French's Mustard may be yellow but that is the only thing french about it.
There was a thread earlier about how Americans are drinking more wine, just not french wine.
One of the coolest things about going to McMinnville for the Pinot festival is stopping over at the Air Museum, preferably before the wine tasting so you don't start doing drunken Howard Hughes impersonations when you see the Spruce Goose.
I love it when the French wine.
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