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I would rather have wines from Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Portugal and even Argentina and Chile before I touch a French wine.

This is definitly wrong. The French have areas where the factors to create a good wine are not bad:

-volcanic soil

-good climate conditions

-winegrowers that know their business

I do not say that they produce the best wines. But some of the best for sure. Even in cold Germany you will find excellent wines when you go into the right areas. I.e. Wines from the Kaiserstuhl (a extinct volcano) in the Rhine valley are just great - but not sold in the US since they have no market there.

Besides - My personal hint is to drink simply the wine of the area where you are if you travel around. I usually never buy wines from abroad on my journeys. My job gives me the possibility to travel so I have the privilege of variety.

Absloulely! Overall, French wines are better. Sure, the very top of the Californians (and Italian) may be better or at least on a par with their French counterparts. French wines tend to be more balanced and I find a French wine under $10 to be preferable to the sweet stuff from California or Australia.

Before I get flamed, the reason for this have NOTHING to do with their ability as wine makers. It has everything to do with Climate and soil conditions.

Now as for their government and that "French" attitude, well that's where my compliments have to stop. I have to admit that I am getting a charge out of them getting their unwashed panties in a bunch over this!!!!