French Wine Sales Still Dropping in United States

Wine Spectator ^ | June 18, 2003 | Dana Nigro

[concentric circles]

Are Americans still holding a grudge? For the third consecutive four-week period, sales of French table wines in the United States have declined substantially, following drops in March and April.

French wine sales dropped 26.2 percent in case volume and 27 percent in dollar value for the four weeks ending May 18, 2003, compared to the same period a year ago, according to retail data from Information Resources Inc. That's the biggest decrease in French wines for any four-week period since the calls for a boycott heated up in response to France's refusal to support war in Iraq; for the 12 weeks ending May 18, the decline averages out to 23.9 percent in volume and 24 percent in dollar value.

At the same time, sales of table wines from around the world have been on the rise compared to a year ago. According to IRI, overall wine sales increased 4.4 percent in volume and 1.5 percent in value for the four weeks ending May 18. Those numbers would have been even higher if it had not been for the drop in French wines. IRI's InfoScan tracking service collects scanner data from multiple retail outlets in the United States.

Sales of table wines from the United States were up again in volume (2.1 percent) for the May period, following a rise in the April period, but down slightly in value (1.6 percent), according to IRI.

[PoorMuttly]

Got Stilton?

[Snuffington]

Or Gorgonzola?

[PoorMuttly]

Got it!

[Snuffington]

How about Cabrales?

[PoorMuttly]

Can Muttly have Cabrales?

[Snuffington]

Can Muttly have Cabrales?

Oui! Oui!... er... d*amn!!!

[PoorMuttly]

Old habits die hard.

KILL! KILL!

[Mark17]

Let them eat cake.

LOL. I assume you mean before the blade falls?

[B Knotts]

I used to buy French wine on occasion. I have not bought any since they lobbied countries against us.

[B Knotts]

More wine alternatives: Oregon, Washington, Spain.

[speedy]

I was easily buying 6-8 bottles of French wine a month. Since March, that has held steady at a nice, round zero. I've been going with US, Chilean, Aussie and Italian. It does limit my choices -- I consume a lot of whites -- but the good feeling I get more than makes up for it. Also used to buy a fair amount of French cheese -- especically Roqueforts and some of the soft cheeses. Tough to find a real replacement for Roquefort Carles. But again, I don't care. Love my pates too, but now I would eat Oscar Meyer Sandwich Spread (do they still make that stuff or is it now considered a weapon of mass destruction?) before I would buy a French pate, terrine, mousse, you name it.

[fabriclady]

I took my car in for service.
A man was trying to trade his 2001 Saab, the dealership did not want it.
He said he paid $47,000 for it and the highest offer he had was 21,000.
The dealership showed no interest.
I am in North Carolna, I heard one of the salesman remark that he may have better luck in New York.

[Cousin Eddie]

I'm with you. Italian, Australian, and of course Californian (my home) are perfectly fine. And we were planning a trip to France next year but now it's going to be Italy.

[illumini]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your rebuke. Thanks for setting me straight! LOL

[contessa machiaveli]

try north fork wines from long island. they're family run vineyards and it's beautiful country as opposed to the hamptons/south fork chaos.

there are little towns along the way that are true americana
....quiet,with american flags flying from gracious victorians.little restaurants and farm stands. go for the ride and visit the vineyards. you'll be welcomed.

[tdadams]

I went to the store to buy some Shiraz the other day. They didn't have the one I wanted so the store clerk recommended another bottle. He said it was on sale for only $4. I muttered, "It must be French." He was silently grinning.

Knowing that France isn't exactly known for it's great Shiraz, I was a bit put off by the recommendation. I said, "You must be having a hard time selling these." He said they bought 500 cases cheap and even at four dollars a bottle, they're not moving.

"You do know why, don't you?", I asked. He replied, "Oh yeah" almost before I finished my question.

I wasn't about to buy it either.

[A_perfect_lady]

Let them eat cake.

Hey! That's my line! ;^)

I just tried some Chilean wine that was very cheap and... well... okay for $4. It's called Gato Negro (Black Cat).

[tdadams]

Ditto that. I've loved Aussie reds for years. Dark, complex, full bodied, and silky. I've been reluctant to tell too many people. I'm afraid once the word gets out, the demand will drive the price way up.

[tdadams]

Shame on you. That's like pornography for wine lovers.

[A_perfect_lady]

We also have some apple wines here in Illinois, and Missouri. My mother loves St. James Velvet White (sweet stuff, probably appeals to White Zin drinkers) and I find Pomona's Jonathon white to be sufficiently dry.