French Wine Exports Drowning

News24 [Cape Town, South Africa] ^ | May 29, 2005 | Adrienne Taylor [South African Press Assn]

[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-

[Hiddigeigei]

Carlos Rossi makes an excellent screw-top red (Paisano) for $8-9 a gallon. It goes with most anything.

[marmar]

Biting the hand that helps to feed you is a bad idea. I will not willingly spend any $$ there, when I go to Germany for my TDY. Which is to move the Wounded Warriors........ I do not support those who do not support my Country or my Military. As a medic I see the results up close and personal.......

[Recon Dad]

There are a lot more that think the exact same as you do. We buy wine by the case and have not bought anything French in a few years. Screw them........

[bill1952]

I was crushed (no pun intended although on second thought it would be pretty good) when the Christian Brothers stopped fermenting the Napa Valley Rose that they produced so well for a moderatly priced wine.

But isn't oak casking a sign of true quality in the production of alcohol?

You could use Pine slats for all of that...

[bill1952]

Label?

[JohnnyZ]

I've stopped buying wines from socialist countries like France and California.

Well okay I do go with Argentina sometimes.

[bill1952]

Really?

I admit I have never traveled South of Paris, mostly going to Brussels and North.

Tell us more, please

[bill1952]

#31 & #35

[bill1952]

Good luck on your trip.

As I remember, Clemenza was the loyal one.

[Czar]

Boo-F'n-Hoo

Our entire family refuses to buy French anything.

[SIDENET]

Whoa...I remember Carlo Rossi "Paisano" from back in my college days! I liked the jug with the little thumb ring and the screw top. That stuff really packed a hangover.

Ah, memories.

;-)

[WideGlide]

I say LET THEM MAKE VINEGAR!!

[bill1952]

"Marketing savvy they clearly lack."

Guy, that is clearly the understatement of the decade.

Most people have never seen the French reaction when you ask for more...

[bill1952]

Is drunk a verb?

[Savage Beast]

Oh, French wines are absolutely fabulous, but why bother when such great wines are coming out of the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Chile for a fraction of the cost?

[JohnnyZ]

Is drunk a verb?

Let me drunk some Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon (Vina Los Vascos ~ Peralillo ~ Chile) and get back to you on that....

[bill1952]

Cool.

It's not alway easy.

Here in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, there is a Club Med that my wife and I always used to frequent on any occasion, where the buffet, and unlimited wine and beer was an added attraction.
Yes, you could get quite smashed there drinking all of the wine that you just got up and reached into the cooler for another bottle or two..

Screw them forever.

[NonValueAdded]

Where in Yamhill is Yamhill County?

LOL :) Maybe it's just west of Tarnation.

[bill1952]

8^)

[SoCal_Republican]

I used to buy french wines. There is always an element of the exotic when you buy something imported - I believe it is all psychological. Now that the French have been showing their arse, the bloom is off the rose. I've figured out that there are plenty of local wines that are just as rare and often more enjoyable. Oops. Now buying local wines is a political statement that makes it all the more enjoyable!