French Wine Growers Protest Weak Market

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&ncid=535&e=11&u=/ap/20041208/ap_on_re_eu/france_wine_crisis ^

[showme_the_Glory]

My wine is imported all the way from Fredricksburg TX. 100 miles or so.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Ick! No. frenchman. (I'm female)

They are supposed to be romantic. Preforming a tonsillectomy on the first date good night kiss after having had garlic for dinner while grabbing parts of my anatomy that are normally covered by underwear is not in any way shape or form romantic.

At minimum a breath mint is required.

[Timocrat]

Screw Napa and Sonoma, drink red county wines from San Luis Obispo !

San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara are much better value than Napa. Oregon reds are also great. Most french whites are too acidic for my taste.

[Freebird Forever]

The vineyard owners and wine makers need to inspire a revolt against their socialist government.

A 180° change in policy could improve their export market.

It'll never happen though.

[RS]

"Pinched by overproduction, shrinking exports, ...."

See what the fat euro gets them ...

"However, markets for French wine abroad are generally regressing with the UK and US markets dropping by 15.3% and 26.8% in value respectively."

http://www.decanter.com/news/57701.html

[kempo]

I just wonder if Sadam got wine for oil? The French are constantly stabbing us in the back. I wouldn't drink a glass of their wine if they gave it away.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

LOL My deepest apologies. I guess I just didn't realize that there would be female Teddy Bears too. : )

Well, from my understanding, the term "french kissing" was coined by American soldiers in WWI who experienced it from young French ladies who did things the young American ladies never did. At first the term was meant to refer to oral sex, but when the boys came back home, it was transferred to the more modern day meaning.

So maybe it is only the young ladies that "french kiss" properly, not the men.

[hosepipe]

[ does that include french kissing? Or should we rename it freedom kissing ]

Hmmm...
Freedom Kissing does have a ring to it like crystal.....
Ok.. done...

Freedom Kissing it is...

[cubreporter]

Too bad. There are lots of great wines made in our own country. we don't need the French.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Of course! Where did you think little teddy bears come from? ;^)

If what I experienced was typical french date behavior I can see why the french ladies liked American GI's so well.

[cubreporter]

We eat Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast. We eat Freedom Vanilla Ice Cream and...We drink American wines.

[jshermn]

Memo to Frogs:

Get rid of Chirac, Thank God for America and you might see us buy your wines again!
Sincerely:

Americans

[SF Republican]

They are supposed to be romantic. how do you know when a frenchman has been in your yard? The garbage has been gone through and the dog is pregnant.

[Hi Heels]

Santa Maria and Santa Barbara WINE FESTIVAL. A must-go annual event.

[blanknoone]

Memo to Frogs: Get rid of Chirac,

Even that is not enough...Chirac is their 'right wing'!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Pinched by overproduction, shrinking exports, advertising restrictions, an aggressive campaign against alcohol abuse and changing drinking habits, at least 6,000 growers and winemakers staged spirited demonstrations nationwide Wednesday to press the government for help.

They forgot to mention the boycott ;-)

[caisson71]

Exactly.

[Muzzle_em]

I don't know that I've ever even tasted French wine.
I am quite fond of Napa wines. I'm drinking a glass as I type this. I do believe I'll have another glass of "freedom wine" to go with my "freedom fries" and "freedom toast."

[tx_eggman]

Pinched by overproduction, shrinking exports, advertising restrictions, an aggressive campaign against alcohol abuse and changing drinking habits.

Shrinking exports = euro inflating against the dollar

changing drinking habits = Americans quit buying frog wine because:

frogs = a55holes