Jancis Robinson has published a depressing bit of news, at least as far as the French wine trade is concerned: here.
The harvest is down, prices are down, demand is down, both domestically and internationally.
You know what they say: as France goes, so goes Italy. Eventually. And worse.
One suggested preventive measure for Italian producers: Lower. Your. Prices.
average Italian wine prices are already considerably lower than France's. So, where to go from here? Try to make better, more individual, and fairly priced wines. If you look at the price the wines reach the market, the price at origin is really just a small fraction of it.
Posted by: gianpaolo | 10/14/2009 at 04:03 PM
true as far as it goes. but let's face, there are plenty of italian producers who charge foolishly high prices franco cantina, presumably because THEY think it's worth it even if the market doesn't.
you're right about making more individual wines -- too many are me-too products that would have an impossible time making it on the crowded shelves of america.
btw, i think your prices are pretty reasonable.
hugs to the "lousy limey"
Posted by: Strappo | 10/14/2009 at 05:03 PM