A fine line?
Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of ink poured over the trials and tribulations of the French wine industry. In particular, the actions of various grower associations. While it should be no surprise that Renée and Vincent tossing molitov cocktails at the Agriculture Department will grab a few headlines, there has not been all that much written as to the source of their frustrations.
For some reason I can't find the article which shed a little more light on the situation but the gist of it was this: The growers of the Languedoc are pissed because of the inaction of their Bordelais counterparts. Better said: Back in the nineties, the growers in the South of France saw the writing on the wall and reigned in the amount of land they had under vine. This meant ceasing many new plantings along with improving the existing vineyards they had. At the same time, the folks in Bordeaux were all slap-happy and planting vines anywhere they could. The result: Because of the A.O.C. designations, the grapes grown in Bordeaux are 'worth' more than those grown in the Languedoc. As such, the price the Languedoc folks can get for their produce is in the can. This is splitting hairs admittedly, because too many grapes is too many grapes, regardless of where they come from.
I, in no way condoning the Southerners tactics, can understand the rub.
Let us on to another part of the world. One that has been all the rage for some time now. That's right, good ole Australia. It seems that since [yellow tail] and all of its friends have been racking up the cash, every jack-hole down under is looking to put their 'folding money' into vines. As it turns out, not everybody is so excited about the prospect. Check it. I have opined before about what should be obvious to every corner of the world. That being 'Okay so you can grow some grapes. You can then probably make something that resembles wine. Who gives a shit?!? From the article:
It's a fine line between genius and insanity.
For some reason I can't find the article which shed a little more light on the situation but the gist of it was this: The growers of the Languedoc are pissed because of the inaction of their Bordelais counterparts. Better said: Back in the nineties, the growers in the South of France saw the writing on the wall and reigned in the amount of land they had under vine. This meant ceasing many new plantings along with improving the existing vineyards they had. At the same time, the folks in Bordeaux were all slap-happy and planting vines anywhere they could. The result: Because of the A.O.C. designations, the grapes grown in Bordeaux are 'worth' more than those grown in the Languedoc. As such, the price the Languedoc folks can get for their produce is in the can. This is splitting hairs admittedly, because too many grapes is too many grapes, regardless of where they come from.
I, in no way condoning the Southerners tactics, can understand the rub.
Let us on to another part of the world. One that has been all the rage for some time now. That's right, good ole Australia. It seems that since [yellow tail] and all of its friends have been racking up the cash, every jack-hole down under is looking to put their 'folding money' into vines. As it turns out, not everybody is so excited about the prospect. Check it. I have opined before about what should be obvious to every corner of the world. That being 'Okay so you can grow some grapes. You can then probably make something that resembles wine. Who gives a shit?!? From the article:
"If these plantings proceed they could prolong this period of over-supply of grapes and also extend the period of lack of profitability in grape growing amongst existing growers," he said.So maybe my friends across the pond aren't all that far off base. I suppose a few Aussies chucking 'Bloomin' Onions' at each other is less offensive than blowing shit up.
It's a fine line between genius and insanity.
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