[xJones]

Before anyone expresses the typical moronic glee, we should remember that France has just elected a President and a Chamber of Deputees that is fiercely pro-America and supports the war on terror. In the last election, the United States elected a Congress that is fiercely anti-American and opposes the war on terror.

Well said, and all too true.

The EU has an annual budget of 1.3 billion euros (£880 million) to help the wine sector but currently spends around 500 million euros a year simply getting rid of wine for which there is no market.

I would like to know why it takes so much money to get rid of so much wine? I know a lot of people who would dispose of it for them for free.:)

[Entrepreneur]

The EU has an annual budget of 1.3 billion euros (£880 million) to help the wine sector but currently spends around 500 million euros a year simply getting rid of wine for which there is no market.

I would like to know why it takes so much money to get rid of so much wine? I know a lot of people who would dispose of it for them for free.:)

Count me in! The subsidies explain why it seems like French wine costs less in my neighborhood grocery store than in Paris or the countryside. Personally, I'm all for French taxpayers subsidizing my vices. If only the Belgians would subsidize Trappist beer!