You may think that I am being a bit harsh by casting aspersions on the character of this bottle of wine. I don't. It's not just this particular bottle of wine with it's trashy packaging that I am railing against, but the entire French wine industry and it's bully boys in the EU.Now I enjoy a chilled Sancerre, a crisp Graves or even an obscure Bergerac as much as the next wine drinker, but when that's what I want then that's what I buy. It's not that this confusing rendition of a Sauvignon blanc was a bad wine, in fact it worked quite well with dinner, even if it was a trifle flabby. It's just that the entire premise is a tad patronizing: The pretensiousness of old world French masters marketing wine to the varietal-obssessed neophytes of the New World. As it turns out this bulk wine from the reknowned Languedoc region is purportedly made by a local winemaker for Kendall-Jackson. And the less said about the naff label the better with it's feeble attempt at nudge, nudge, wink, wink titillation.
Why would a US wine company perpetrate such an unprincipled business practice when EU regulations are so prohibitive of trade in the opposite direction? (The EU only finally condescended to recognise the Napa Valley as a 'Geographical Brand' in 2007).
One example of an EU edict asserts that; "US wines which display the terms 'chateau', 'classic', 'clos', 'cream', 'crusted/crusting', 'fine', 'late bottled vintage', 'noble', 'ruby', 'superior', 'sur lie', 'tawny', 'vintage' and 'vintage character' will be blocked from entering Europe." Well, that just about excludes nearly everything you could possibly put on a bottle of wine doesn't it? Now, I'm all for free trade. I simply cannot abide double standards and all this regulatory nonsense. Is it all just nonsense? Non en fait, c’est des conneries!
Disclaimer: Obtained this wine in a mixed lot at a charity event. I didn't buy it, I'm not a total idiot.
9 comments:
Sipping my Clos Perrier Chateau sur Lie Late Bottled Vintage AOC fine classic crusted sparkling mineral water, I have to refer you to Mr Combo's post. I mean, what can you do with a country that can't even make a middling Burgundy that will last for 40 years?
I blame Mitterrand. Mind you,he knew a thing or two about French maids...
Ah, Mr. Affer...you have inspired me!
you gotta love the french and there crazy socialistic laws.
You know, some of this kind of marketing is driven by the US importers who tell European producers what will sell in this country.
I've no love for the eu but sometimes things need protecting....look at the attrocities that pass as Parmesan etc for sale in American shops....plus some of the Napa labels on bottles are not exactly classy!
I think one should always avoid any alcohol that has a stupid made-up name, particularly anything saucy. You come across it with beer all the time; Old Bollocks Leg Widener or Bullocks Pizzle or somesuch nonsense.
I am avoiding all alcohol, stupid name or not. But only for another two days. Ah, the sweet light at the end of the tunnel!
Weston: I'll leave loving the French up to you, you are Canadian afterall.
Thomas: I know. They have blood on their hands :)
Thud: You do have to read labels carefully sometimes.
WH: And I thought Bullocks Pizzle was a great Northern England finger food.
Ron: Hang in there.
Vinogirl, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ussCHoQttyQ
One has certain reason(s) for picking a "fight". I don't have a horse in this race (avoidance here of allusions to dogs in a fight), but I'm getting a hint or two that you do; it does seem that Governments can magnify human short-comings.
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