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.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at finance24.com ...
I wonder if there isn't a distinction here between markets for inexpensive and expensive wines. I'll bet that in an increasingly sophisticated world market, fewer people will buy a cheap French wine just because it is French, and not because it is good. This same sophistication might increase the price and sales of high-end French wines, that remain highly competitive with the best that the rest of the world can offer.
Just a guess.
Try a good Missouri wine. Much much better than that frog juice.
The french have a very stylized communication ritual--they always say 'bonjour' or "bonsoir" before beginning any other business. When we remembered that, which was 90% of the time, we were greeted with a smile, (and we don't speak french, at all), when we forgot it at the airport on the way home and we were in a big hurry, the information clerk we were talking to was grim--Instead of saying, "Bonjour--we're trying to find..." My husband walked up and said, "Hey! we are trying to find.." Picture yourself on a streetcorner and someone jus walks up to you and starts speaking Spanish--it would be a little disconcerting, to say the least. My routine was, "Bonjour, do you speak English?" and they were wonderful. All of that to say, Clemenza, that's my travel advice for France.
Agree with you on all points --- the people in Languedoc were wonderful to us as well, and we love the wines there.
Mon Deux! We actually have to give the customers what they want! The horror!
Marketing savvy they clearly lack.
PS: I swore in the runup to the Iraq war that I wever buy another bottle of French wine (some of which I really liked, so it was no small sacrifice) and I am happy to report that I have held fast to my pledge -- this to the benefit of California vintners.
The French should re-market their stuff as foot soaking liquid.
Yes...well...that's because we are too simplistic to appreciate the sophisticated and nuanced flavors of French wine. We poor cocacola drinkers need education of our palates before we are worthy to drink their offerings.
You know, it's not we ever had that great immigration wave from France, LOL!
The Irish had the famine, the English had religious persecution and a bad economy, everyone came, the Germand the Scots, the French looked around and said, "you know, I think we're good here, but thanks..."
Ha-Ha. I switched to an Australian Shiraz (Black Opal) years ago and never looked back. I will also add that the "Black Oak" Shiraz from CA is very, very good and under $6 a bottle. Believe it or not, even Phillips (which makes Brandy and Schnapps) has an awesome Shiraz that has a screw-top, and runs about $7 a bottle!
I'm good for two bottles (of any AMERICAN combination) a week. I'm doing my share. :)
I've always purchased local wines. Now that they've changed the shipping regulations and we can ship our SCRUMPY wines out of Wisconsin, may I suggest you try:
http://www.wollersheim.com/ You might be lucky enough to get some wine made from grapes that I've "stomped" myself. :)
Hablo español, no hay problema aqui. ;-)
Thanks for the advice.
I'm not much of a wine drinker but friends of mine who are insist that Oregon wines are much better than French wines.
Your friends are wrong. As much as I hate the french, their wines are fantastic. America makes many great wines, but ...
One cannot necessarily make the same argument vis the whites, although the appellations to the south of the valley (Carneros, in particular) do produce excellent Chardonnays and champagnes. This grassland area is nearer the Napa River, and comprised of somewhat sandy soil. Don't know how that factors in. Even the Spanish champaign produce, Cordonoi, has an operation there.
It is time to redouble our efforts to Boycott French products.
There is the France that consists of 'greater Paris', where this may ring tri=ue, but there are places far removed from Paris where you'll encounter a different attitude. Note that one of the big centers of opposition to the EU Constitution ratification was in the south.
meant to write: "where this may ring true"
Do you mean scrumptious or are you referring to the cider called "scrumpy"? I would assume from context the former, but the latter could be thought of as a rough apple wine, I guess.
I've become very fond of Chilean wines since 911. So many are simply delish at a very low price.
Also, I just found a really nice CA cabernet on special sale here for $9.99 that has a simply marvelous flavor and body: Hahn winery, cabernet 2003, a central valley wine.
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