Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: MadIvan

Ivan, I know I drink a glass or two of wine nearly every day and I haven't had a glass of french wine in a long damn time. Don't intend to either. Hope this is adding to the french winemakers woes.
Just trying to do my little part.
Calif wines are just fine thank you.


58 posted on 11/28/2006 2:26:11 AM PST by Joe Boucher (an enemy of islam)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Joe Boucher

This is a function of three things:

1. Increased Muslim population. I wouldn't be surprised if pork products also have decreased. It's not just that Muslims won't drink it, but that even French people have to be sensitive to not offend Muslims so won't offer it on the menu at some events.
2. Demographics. France is rapidly aging. Older people tend to go for quality over quantity. The same is happening in German beer consumption.
3. Anglosphere competition. I think that Britain was always Frances biggest export market for wine (and the US too). But did you notice that most of the competitors are part of the Anglosphere: the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Given the choice, Anglosphere members will choose the wines from their compatriots, especially since the tariffs are usually lower.
4. France has been horrible at marketing its product and at anticipating the trends of the market. They are of the "if you ferment it, they will come" school. Obviously, this has failed.
France can't compete at the low end of the market and can't seem to increase its share of the high end. Paradoxically, the slow food/local food movement championed by the French has had the effect of reducing imports to the US. After all, it burns an awful lot of hydrocarbons just to ship some wine bottles across the Atlantic.


59 posted on 11/28/2006 2:42:13 AM PST by zpaladin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson