Winemakers flooded the town of Montpellier recently to protest low prices of wine and high debt levels in the Languedoc Roussillon region.
Leftwing farmers’ union Confederation Paysanne released a list of demands for the government, from minimum pricing to emergency debt relief and an assurance that Languedoc wine will not succumb to “industrial” production methods. ~ French winemakers protest in Languedoc
In light of ever increasing oil prices, the demands seem rather odd. If you’re going to sell most of your wine outside of the region in which it is produced, you’re going to have to cater to that market’s tastes. You’re going to have to depend on an out-of-whack exchange rate to make money. When things get tough, you’re going to have to “succumb to ‘industrial’ production methods to make ends meet.
Well, why not go local then?
Cue selfishness: I don’t want industrial wine. I don’t want wine that’s been specially modified to mask its regional character to please the masses.
Fact is, permanently higher transportation costs should help to make wine (as with other foods) regional again. And I, for one, am all for it.
I like it when the waiter plunks down a bottle of the local wine for me to pour at my leisure. I hate formal wine service. You see, I’m looking forward to the past, when wine jogged memory of your favorite places at prices you could afford.
Then, when my gut is full of memories, I’ll unhitch my donkey and go home.