US boycott starts hurting French wines

expatica.com ^ | April 14, 2003

[11th_VA]

BORDEAUX, France, April 14 (AFP) - France has begun to feel the effect of a United States boycott of its wines in retaliation for opposition to the US-led war on Iraq, leading merchants said here Monday.

Nicolas Gailly, head of the company Barton et Guestier which claims to be the biggest French wine seller in the United States, admitted sales had gone down, saying American distributors were making less effort to market French products.

"It's not politically correct to promote French products generally and wine in particular," he said.

But Gailly said he was not giving way to pessimisim. His company has annual sales of EUR 40 million (USD 43 million), 95 percent for export.

"What we fear and what is already having direct effect is a boycott not of consumers but of distributors amidst very heavy competition," said Louis-Regis Affre of the French wine and spirt export federation.

The businessmen were speaking at a general assembly of wine merchants of Bordeaux region - home of claret.

Two other merchants, Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Ginestet, also admitted to what was described as a "delicate situation."

"Our information indicates a very clear drop in the number of French wine bottles appearing on store shelves," said Christian Delpeuch, head of Ginestet, which normally has sales of EUR 10 million in the US, or 10 percent of its total.

"They aren't promoting French wines any more," he said: "The catering trade is avoiding them too."

There have been protests against France and boycotts of French products in the United States in recent weeks, with some ceremoniousy pouring French wines down street gutters.

Top US wine critic Robert Parker said in the March issue of Decanter magazine that he was surprised at the volume of anti-French rhetoric in the United States, and expressed fears over its effects on the wine business.

Parker said importers of French wine were complaining that US customs agents were harassing their shipments.

[The UnVeiled Lady]

"We'll put a boot in your ass... it's the American way."
POW, right in the wallet!

[Z-28]

I'm still looking for a "killer dry" red or white -- Something even drier than a Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc.

I prefer California wines over French (or Italian or German - Ick!). I do enjoy French St. Louis Gamay Beaujolais in a good year.

And suggestions or ideas?

[cinFLA]

I wanted to treat my better half to a very nice wine yesterday. Actually had it off the shelf till I remembered that it was from France. Back on the shelf it went!

[Trajan88]

My Waterman pen (received as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago) has Paris engraved on it as if it were a French-made product. Maybe it is just the model number?

Trajan88

[lawgirl]

Well this makes my day.

[lawgirl]

Sipping my Maker's Mark as we speak!

[lawgirl]

Nicolas Gailly, head of the company Barton et Guestier which claims to be the biggest French wine seller in the United States, admitted sales had gone down, saying American distributors were making less effort to market French products. </b.

WOW - the frogs are just like Clinton- completely unable to take responsibility for anything!

[fightinJAG]

Trader Joe's sells a cheap red wine that actually is quite good. They call it "French Market." Boy, I better go downstairs and check to see if it's really a French product or if they are just using the name for ambiance.

[Paleo Conservative]

It would be hilarious if Chirac was booted from office and Blair won reelection.

It won't happen. Chiraq just won re-election to a second seven-year term in June 2002. Chiraq is now 70. He will be 76 at at the end of his term. I doubt he will run for re-election again.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

Only to be sure we had enough gas to run into the anti-tank things they sold to Iraq

[Nam Vet]

Jacques 'Panties Le Bunche' Chirac. King of the French wuss Repubic.

Nam Vet

[stands2reason]

I enjoyed a few bottles of the Lindemanns Bin 65 Chard....good n' cheap---who needs French wine?

[stands2reason]

BIC (Razors, Pens & Lighters) - Started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Originally based just outside of Paris. Began trading on the Paris Stock Exchange in 1972. 40.5% Publicly traded. Bich family still owns 33.5%.

Bic is crap in everything but their disposable lighters. I'm hoarding the last two I'll ever buy...

[b4its2late]

Great News!

[cubreporter]

and why would you even WANT to? Enjoy. :)