Digg Townhall Tonight!
Tune into the live Digg townhall tonight at 5:00pm PST/8:00pm EST.
France's Wine Terrorists
time.com — Hurting from over-production and cheap imports, and punished lately by the rising cost of gas, a small group of local wine growers has resorted to "wine terrorism" in a violent attempt to shock the French government into helping them.
kickoff22- 445 diggs
- digg it
- WiseWeasel, on 08/02/2008, -8/+3NOOOOOOOOOOO! The humanity! That's alcohol abuse, and the good stuff, too! France needs to stand up to these terrorists and protect this vital resource. There can be no negotiation.
- Harbinger1080, on 08/02/2008, -0/+37In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger: STOP WHINING!
- Pixelante, on 08/03/2008, -0/+0Don't be winemaking girlie men.
- SHv2, on 08/03/2008, -7/+23If they just made good wine they wouldn't have to worry about cheap imports. Do your ***** job and make good whine. Shut up or gtfo.
- Treoinmypocket, on 08/03/2008, -3/+10Sorry but France accounts for the largest portion of high quality wines in the entire market - quality isn't the issue.
The methods used in French wine production - and those NOT used - combined with the policies of the EU are what is hurting them.
The solutions being argued for in France (some of which have already begun to be implemented) are an actual reduction in quality - which would be cheaper to produce.- issachar, on 08/03/2008, -1/+2Actually, the article suggests that the cheaper French wines *are* the ones being threatened by imports. The government suggests reducing production but *also* switching production from "plonk" to higher quality, more expensive wines. The critic then points out that French wine makers have 20 & 30 year investment plans that make switching production unrealistic. The critic *doesn't* say that they're already producing expensive wine so the government's advice is useless.
This implies that contrary to your post, it IS cheaper French wine that's in trouble.
- issachar, on 08/03/2008, -1/+2Actually, the article suggests that the cheaper French wines *are* the ones being threatened by imports. The government suggests reducing production but *also* switching production from "plonk" to higher quality, more expensive wines. The critic then points out that French wine makers have 20 & 30 year investment plans that make switching production unrealistic. The critic *doesn't* say that they're already producing expensive wine so the government's advice is useless.
- ninomojo, on 08/03/2008, -0/+2What a condescending and ignorant comment.
- SHv2, on 08/04/2008, -0/+1Why thank you. :)
- writie, on 08/09/2008, -0/+1I just got back from two weeks in the Luberon region. Quality is not the issue. You can pick up sensational wine very cheaply. I had already heard that is was the low end that is under threat. There is only so much vinegar that a market can absorb.
On a not-unrelated topic, the best dried fruit comes from Iran, as all the centuries-old wine makers had to stop producing alcohol after the revolution. Lots of great grapes have become nibbles instead of excellent wine.
- Treoinmypocket, on 08/03/2008, -3/+10Sorry but France accounts for the largest portion of high quality wines in the entire market - quality isn't the issue.
- loringalta, on 08/03/2008, -3/+6you don't mess with France's grape growers.
They mean serious business. - iJessicaRabbit, on 08/03/2008, -2/+1Bye bye Three Buck Chuck.
- mmmmmbiscuits, on 08/03/2008, -6/+31HELP US, NANNY STATE! We're not innovative and self-sufficient enough to survive on our own! Stupid French.....always striking or whining or burning cars over something.
- Mier, on 08/03/2008, -0/+10biscuits gets it. I think it's a testament to US wine that we could push French wine aside considering how much the French are identified with cooking and good wine.
- waydee, on 08/03/2008, -0/+4Sorry but that's not the case, I like American wine as much as anybody but if you're after truly high quality wine I and many others will buy French - Americans excel at producing tasty reasonably priced wine, the French aren't so good at that but at the higher end of the price spectrum there is practically no competition to the French.
- docbob84, on 08/03/2008, -0/+0I agree, waydee. The problem is, for every rich guy buying a high quality bottle, there are a hundred or more high school and college guys buying wine in a box. The French undoubtedly have the best wine in the world, there's really no arguing that. But in a world where demand for their product is dropping, and demand for cheap domestic bottles is increasing, the French vineyards are on the losing end.
- waydee, on 08/03/2008, -0/+4Sorry but that's not the case, I like American wine as much as anybody but if you're after truly high quality wine I and many others will buy French - Americans excel at producing tasty reasonably priced wine, the French aren't so good at that but at the higher end of the price spectrum there is practically no competition to the French.
- Sunnygurm, on 08/03/2008, -2/+14"Stupid French.....always striking or whining or burning cars over something."
I fail to see how striking and whining is stupid. It's their duty in a democracy to question the powers of government...a duty lots of Americans these days are taking lightly.
I'm not supporting wine terrorists or anything, but I quite like the French civil disobedience. It's democracy in fine form.
Oops, looks like I just landed myself on the no-fly list.- govsucks, on 08/03/2008, -6/+9Fool, they GAVE the power to government in the first place. Let them sleep in the socialist bed they made. And you don't question authority by blowing ***** up. This is what happens when people become so dependent on government that they cant do anything but become violent when the ONE thing they know how to do is threatened.
- ngresonance, on 08/03/2008, -0/+5Although in this case, they want the government to exert *more* power...
- carpespasm, on 08/03/2008, -1/+10Funny thing is we have the same thing happening in the US with cars manufacturers. Many people bitching and moaning about those who buy foreign cars rather than getting angry at US companies which have stagnated and exploited the high profits of large vehicles rather than innovating and making something better than their competition. One good side effect of people's laziness in that regard though is we don't have auto workers blowing things up. Bad thing is they're too broke because of their company's mismanagement to afford something to blow up.
- govsucks, on 08/04/2008, -2/+1The reason US auto manufacturers are in such a hole can be explained in one word "Unions" Toyota isn't dragged down by a group of whiners that want extraordinary pensions and work rules that are causing the companies to go broke. That's OK however, they are getting what they deserve for allowing the unions to dictate how the run their businesses and the pathetic borg like collectivists will soon be looking for jobs and they sure as hell won't find any at the UAW.
- toetagger, on 08/04/2008, -0/+2At least they aren't surrender monkeys to their govt like US citizens are. We whine all day how our govt takes our rights away or corps ***** us, but we do nothing about it because we're afraid. They have the balls to shut down the whole ***** country if they aren't being represented. Besides, France is a beautiful, advanced country and culture while this ***** hole we call a democracy is a full of ignorant ***** rednecks that would elect and reelect Bush, believe the earth is 5,ooo years old etc... brain washed little ***** children my fellow Americans are. YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWW!!!!!!!!
- toetagger, on 08/04/2008, -0/+2Nanny state? Like here in the US we are not? I guess it's OK when it's millionaires getting bailed out when their banks or airlines fail, but if the little guy is getting *****, like working men and woman Americans just go home and drink beer in the garage and sulk about their jobs getting exported. The French take action, Americans buy guns but don't have the balls to use them.
- govsucks, on 08/04/2008, -2/+1You think I'm gonna use my gun to do what, make the government bigger and provide more social programs? The government shouldn't be giving money to big pathetic companies or little pathetic workers. I'd love to use my gun to say...stop FORCING me to participate in socialism, but I would just end up dead at this point because most people in this nation no longer believe in freedom
- DavidYeah, on 08/04/2008, -0/+1govsucks: I bet I could name a dozen socialist programs you rely on on a regular basis without even trying. Sewage, roads, clean water, food safety, air traffic control, port secutiy, police protection, fire protection, road building, road maintenance, cable infrastructure, and electrical infrastructure.
How did any of these things limit your liberty and freedom, and not enhance them?
So, in reality, you probably depend on government all the damn time, you just don't want to pay for it. I bet if you went into a store and took a bite out of a candy bar, you'd feel pretty obligated to give the owner the dollar in your pocket, since it's not really your dollar anymore.
The same works for the collectivist commons; you bit it, you bought it. How about you leave the country if you don't like it?
- Mier, on 08/03/2008, -0/+10biscuits gets it. I think it's a testament to US wine that we could push French wine aside considering how much the French are identified with cooking and good wine.
- geobay, on 08/03/2008, -0/+9Wait till they find out what I did to their croissants...
- IphtashuFitz, on 08/03/2008, -1/+9Terrorism is always a great way to get the government to help you!
Idiots. - MiddleOfNowhere, on 08/03/2008, -4/+38These guys are assholes and should be shot on the spot.
France has - like about everyone else in the European Union - profited immensely from globalization in general and open markets for their sought-after products (cheese, wine). But yes, the door swings both ways. So when some French pricks discover that other countries are able to produce excellent wines, too (US, New Zealand, Australia), what's their reaction? Welcome the competition? Bring down costs and/or improve their product or marketing activities? No, silly - they bomb tax offices and vandalize the competition's infrastructure. Classy; just classy.
When French farmers, truck drivers, unions or any other interest group don't like current politics or the economical situation, they burn cars, stage public riots and threaten the possessions and lives of those they don't like. That's just fascism in the disguise of grass-roots protest. Wankers.- poidh, on 08/03/2008, -0/+7That's so true I almost forgot I was on Digg for a moment.
- govsucks, on 08/03/2008, -3/+1That is the only things collectivists understand. Do what we want or we will become violent. I mean, isn't that what the "revolution" is all about, using force to make everyone comply with the goals of the collective. ***** Borg in training all of em.
- Treoinmypocket, on 08/03/2008, -0/+4You are quite correct.
On the one hand, the are reaping what they have sown - France has always been one of the major champion's of the whole EU notion - and on the other they are going to have to lower the excellent quality of their flagship product in order to benefit from it.- issachar, on 08/03/2008, -0/+3Actually, the article suggests that they'll have to *raise* the quality of their flagship product. It's not ALL French wines that are threatened. It's the so-called "plonk" or cheap wine that is threatened. The problem according to the article is that French wine makers have 20 & 30 year investment plans that make switching production unrealistic.
They need to make a higher grade product that people are willing to pay a premium for. - edjenkins234, on 08/04/2008, -0/+3Keep in mind the french elites may have championed the eu but I guarantee these grape farmers had nothing to do with that discussion.
- issachar, on 08/03/2008, -0/+3Actually, the article suggests that they'll have to *raise* the quality of their flagship product. It's not ALL French wines that are threatened. It's the so-called "plonk" or cheap wine that is threatened. The problem according to the article is that French wine makers have 20 & 30 year investment plans that make switching production unrealistic.
- philocybe, on 08/03/2008, -1/+2It is actually gangs of "disenfranchised" youth that burn cars and riot in France, not interest groups. As for fascism, please consult a dictionary for the definition.
- writie, on 08/09/2008, -0/+1Compare this to the issue of the Airbus building cheaper airplanes for the US government. Boeing basically did the same thing as the wine growers. When push comes to shove, it's amazing how many ways we find for avoiding a truly open market.
- ChileanGoD, on 08/03/2008, -2/+1...is this for real? If you take also as an example the Queen guitarist giving his astrophysics thesis, real life is starting to get weirder each day.
- XcL485, on 08/03/2008, -1/+1This looks like a job for Gary Vay-ner-chuck !!
- greatgatsbyII, on 08/04/2008, -0/+1Link it up Mott
- poidh, on 08/03/2008, -0/+19Stupid whining *****. They're happy to sell their wine abroad but go boohoo when other countries want to export theirs to France and to France's traditional customers. Then they want government help.
If you accept the good times then you have to accept the bad. - twodollars, on 08/03/2008, -9/+1***** you guys, two of my friends died terrorizing wine.
Wait, did I miss the point? - muckemuck, on 08/03/2008, -1/+6But globalization is good! ... at least that's what people are paying McCain, Obama, and loads of other politicians to say.
The textile mill workers in the South who lost their jobs to NAFTA and CAFTA didn't do anything to protest... well.. they went to Wal-mart and bought more cheap ***** from China. Doh!- lajaw, on 08/03/2008, -0/+4Just like the auto workers from the north will do soon.
- issachar, on 08/03/2008, -1/+3Don't display your ignorance like that. Free Trade has been very positive both to workers in the USA and to workers elsewhere. It hasn't been good to EVERY US worker, but that's simply impossible. NAFTA been good for the US economy, US workers. It's also been good for Mexican & Canadian workers, but I wouldn't have thought that was a bad thing.
Obama's anti-NAFTA stance may buy votes from the ignorant, but it's a terrible thing for US workers.- kerouaciandream, on 08/04/2008, -0/+2That's an oversimplification. While free trade is most definitely good for the economy and workers in the long term, NAFTA has definitely hurt more people than it's helped in the short term, and we've done a terrible job in helping people with those short term hurts as they transition to long term gains.
- Coolkid11, on 08/03/2008, -6/+6I don't buy French wine because it really doesn't taste any better than ones grown in the U.S. I'm not going to pay $30 for a bottle when I can get a decent bottle of wine for $10. Saying that French wine is the best is totally subjective, although I'll admit it is just as good as American wine.
- use2bacanadian, on 08/03/2008, -2/+3I just had a bottle of French wine given to my girlfriend as a gift. It sucked - we opened up a bottle of California instead and enjoyed it. I bet this wine was not cheap either as she is a doctor and so are her friends. It was a blind taste testing in France in the 70's that gave birth to the growth of American wines and blew the myth right out of the water that French wines are better.
- writie, on 08/09/2008, -0/+1Are there import duties on wine? Bottles I was buying for 3 euros in France cost 10 in Ireland, which is not that far away. The duties on alcohol can be prohibitive. I have heard of several French producers that have also invested in US vineyards to ensure they keep their foot in other markets.
- roflbrothel, on 08/03/2008, -1/+3That's fine by me, I like American and Australian wines better anyways. Plus they're much cheaper.
- Spoomeister, on 08/03/2008, -1/+4Isn't this an abuse of the word "terrorism"? Kind of like how the U.S. declares War on concepts (war on terror, war on drugs, war on poverty)? The word terrorism loses its meaning when it's overused like this.
More like wine vandalism.
Or, perhaps, just being ***** French about it. - breemode, on 08/03/2008, -1/+3Whats with every ones dislike for the french, gessh they have awsome chesse and great little
poodles, And they dont pick fights with any one unless its over a woman. Americans drink wine if a special day arises or for dinner here and there. the french drink just about every night, you dont have water with dinner you have wine and lots of it! I feel bad for them. Their government should help them out thats a huge part of who they are and they shouldnt have to lose it because of undercutting. - tolstoi78, on 08/03/2008, -0/+1Sounds like that guy needed a stronger drink.
- Aliwalla, on 08/03/2008, -0/+7The problem with the French is they don't know when they're wrong.
- Aliwalla, on 08/03/2008, -0/+1Oh and drink South African wine
- adiyo011, on 08/03/2008, -0/+1I don't think the government should help people that are committing illegal acts. That's what they are there for...or at least that's what it was created for.
Can we say, dumb much? - kd1s, on 08/03/2008, -1/+1Nice! I guess I can start drinking more French wine! This'll knock the prices down even further consider that the cost of a gallon of wine is about $3, do the markups and transport and it triples so it is $9 or $10 for a 750ml bottle of good wine. Total ripoff. We should be getting 3 liters for that price.
- 4eloBek, on 08/03/2008, -0/+2well its called competition! haven't they heard? i guess they prefer monopoly, for once i agree, that sometimes globalisation is good, it removes weak and lazy ppl.
- peaceninja, on 08/03/2008, -0/+2oversupply leads to cheaper prices. why are they fighting laissez-faire economics? do they want a government bailout? we americans don't do tha...oh wait
- reugeneg, on 08/03/2008, -0/+3Say what you want about the French. And Americans certainly got all the stereotypes nailed. But at least when there's an election they show up at the polls. More than you can say for most Americans.
- cgbspender, on 08/03/2008, -0/+1Having read half of the article I was convinced that it is from the Onion.
- johannscv, on 08/04/2008, -0/+1WTF happened to the French? On July 14, 1790, they beheaded their Queen & King, locked the entire Royal Court up in a Federal prison (Bastille) after letting out all of the criminals -- In the name of LIBERTY!. And now they commit vandalism and terrorist acts to receive government help??? WTF?
- t4m5t3r, on 08/04/2008, -0/+1well it worked for the US goverment, might aswell give it a go!!
- Devihed, on 08/04/2008, -1/+0Pussy French can't actually resort to real terrorism..
Check out the new & improved 
© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is