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 ...
The Californicators have never been able to make a Riesling that even approached drinkability. That and the fact that 90% of Californian Chards are heavily oaked to cover up the awful flavor has always made me skeptical of white wines from the golden state (although Sonoma, Napa, and even some Mendocino reds are among the best in the world).
Do people still park their Lamborghini Countachs on the Champs D'Elyse? I actually saw one parked there in 1984.
Do you think Boeing will announce the 747 Advanced at the Paris Air Show?
Hehhehheh...lol...I didn't see that. Shoulda, but didn't.
Kudos & thanks for the laugh!
I mostly prefer red wines like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
The BIG bargain in French wines are to be found in the South, particularly among Provencal Rose. Same goes for Italy, were you can pick up a bottle of excellent Sicillian Nero or Sardinean reds for $10-$15.
Wal gollee. I guess us'n hicks jest're too unsophisteecated to appreciate the nuanced taste of that there Frenchie toilet water!
Let them drink socialism.
;*)
There has been much speculation as to that annoucement. Boeing will make their "official" announcement regarding the 777 freighter (with additional orders other than those for Air France). As far as the 747 Advanced is concerned, your guess would be as good as mine at this point. Someone at an industry publication told me last week that is was likely. I'd personally like to see who took the first order.
I usually drink Chablis with Oysters or lobster. Lately, I have discovered an outstanding Sav Blanc from Jackson Estates in New Zealand that works even better with lobster than Chablis.
ROFLOL!!!!!!! We have perfectly wonderful wines made here in the United States. I toured Napa Valley last spring and the Sonoma Valley vineyards. The wines were excellent. Why would anyone want to drink French wine?
Guess they'll just have to lower their prices, people are just tired of French whine. You can actually get some decent stuff around here for less than $10 because it comes straight from Napa valley.
Back-stabbing anti-Americanism has consequences...I wish the drop was more. Screw The French.
I had a Sicilian wine recently and loved it!
My husband and I fell in love with the wines of Languedoc (Southern France) on our honeymoon. What those people just throw in jugs at the cafe's was unbelievable!
Our credit card didn't work in Chinon, and the hotelier let us stay there and fed us while we worked it out with the credit card company--try that at a Holiday Inn. ("Hey, our credit card is no good and we don't have any money, but can we stay here? We promise we'll pay you tomorrow!") It may be unpopular, but we found the French people warm and wonderful. (It was 6 months after 9/11, though, when they still loved us, LOL..)
The funny thing is that the french hate everything about us......except for our $$$$$$$$.
Had some negative experiences when I went to France as a 15 year old. My upcoming trip (for business purposes, although my evenings are free) will be the first time I have been there since that high school trip in 1991.
Let them drink champagne.
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