Demonstrations planned in south of France [militant winemakers]

decanter.com ^ | 02.14.16 | Oliver Styles

[quantim]

Thousands of militant winemakers are expected to descend on southern French towns tomorrow in a bid gain more government support.

Demonstrations are planned in Narbonne, Béziers, Nîmes, Avignon and Bordeaux.

Organisers are expecting a total of around 15,000 people on the streets.

The groups behind the demonstrators include regional winemaking unions, and cooperatives. The independent winemakers' union of the Hérault region, however, has asked for the demonstrations to be called off, citing bad timing – a major wine fair, Vinisud, starts on Monday (20 February).

'There is no reason for the southern winemakers to demonstrate on their own when the crisis affects almost all French winemaking regions,' it said.

The demonstrators are calling on the government for more financial aid to stem the crisis which has seen growers' incomes plummet by 50% in the last year.

One winemaker told local reporters that the situation had led to several suicides. 'There have been six in the Aude and even more in the Hérault,' Serge Lépine, a winemaker in Camplon d'Aude, told local radio.

For its part, the government has reiterated that over €110m had been given to the sector in 2005.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I guess they can't cope with the global onslaught of two buck chuck.

[Hunble]

Question: Did you support the United States in it's effort to protect you from attacks by terrorists?

If not, then please understand why Americans no longer care what happens to you, as a citizen of France.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

over 30% of the entire EU budget goes to french farm subsides.

I guess according to the socialists, that isn't enough.

[Bender2]

...Mouton Rothschild!... ...No!...Haut Brion!...

[quantim]

Click to be +/- on this low volume list.

Oenology news ping.

[Paleo Conservative]

[singfreedom]

It would be my bet, they wouldn't need so many "subsidies" if Jacque "Ass-Crack" Chirac had not so mightily offended their major "customer" for their wine AND cosmetics.

For my part, I'm very, very careful to buy products made in countries that support us. That means no German chocolates or Christmas decorations, no French or Spanish wine, no Chanel "Coco" perfume (that one was hard), no Lancome' mascara, etc. Some of these countries I may never buy products from again---France, Germany and Spain.

The Euro-turds are going to have to do some serious penance before I consider buying their products.

[beaver fever]

Actually the French can't compete with California and Australia in the premium market.

The French have not been the leaders in the world market for quite some time with the exception of the major Chateaus.

The French government subsidizes small Provencal wine makers not to grow grapes. So they can sit around in Cafes wearing berets and blue blazers and reminisce about the good old days of French cultural supremacy.

Half the French countryside is just a museum piece for tourists but they don't even respect tourists.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Why can't they ship grapes to the USA, like Chile does.

[beaver fever]

Funny thing about Chilean grapes. There was a fungus epidemic in France in the nineteenth century that killed off 80% of the french root stock.

Meanwhile Chile imported French root stock at the same time.

I you drink a Chilean wine you are actually drinking the best wine that France produced before the first world war.

[Cobra64]

When I special ordered a Beemer, the manager asked if I wanted Michelans. I said, "No. Pirellies.

[Cobra64]

The problem is, there are so many French companies that own products here in America. I think Goodyear is owned by Michellan. It's tough to know. a Freeper put up a cross-reference list here about a year ago.

BTW, in terms of win; we buy Australian. Specifically Black Swan and Yellow Tail.

[Cobra64]

Half the French countryside is just a museum piece for tourists but they don't even respect tourists.

I agree. I spent six months (Seagrams project) in Antwerp, Belgium. I discovered that everyone with whom I had contact, had strong disdain for the French.

[Clemenza]

My tastes run towards Italian (especially Piedmontese and Toscanese) wines, American (Cali, Oregon, and Washington), Chilean, and Argentinean wines.

Most Bordeauxs that I have had under $50 have been the quality of Kool Aid. On the rare occassion that I drink French wine, it will be Chablis with Oysters.

[HiTech RedNeck]

They put oysters in their wine?

[beaver fever]

I lean towards white wines. My favourite is Santa Margherita, Pinot Grigio by Valdadige. Its very close to the perfect PG.

French wines don't interest me at all.

The Californians and Australians have been taking over the French market with superior product since the early nineties.

Except for special orders the bulk of French wine is plonk.

[quantim]

Actually the French can't compete with California and Australia in the premium market.

That's not and/or true on the high-end, yet your point is stated.  It's the middle tier to low-end wines where socialists can't compete.  On the high-end, well, they're capitalists.

[Lurker]

Some of the Malbecs from Chile and Argentina are excellent.

L

[Lurker]

Try the Ravenswood. They make a very nice Syrah.

L