Books, Arts & Manners: Bargains from Abroad

Now that wine, especially French wine, is getting more expensive, other countries on other continents are trying to win a share of the profitable American market. They have been offering their products at bargain prices, hoping to steal away some of the affection we bestow upon our native American wines and on the French and Italian imports.

It will be an uphill struggle. What they forget is that France and Italy have worked hard and long at this game. French wines are still considered the most elegant of the lot, as well they should, considering the high standards maintained by the ô system. (Of course, not all French wines are appellation-contrôlée. Fortunately for French prestige, few Americans have ever drunk that horrible coup de rouge or coup de blanc that the less-well-off in France have to swallow; compared to these truly awful potions, our jug wines are sheer bliss.)

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Nika Hazelton

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Now that wine, especially French wine, is getting more expensive, other countries on other continents are trying to win a share of the profitable American market. They have been offering their products at bargain prices, hoping to steal away some of the affection we bestow upon our native American wines and on the French and Italian imports.

It will be an uphill struggle. What they forget is that France and Italy have worked hard and long at this game. French wines are still considered the most elegant of the lot, as well they should, considering the high standards maintained by the ô system. (Of course, not all French wines are appellation-contrôlée. Fortunately for French prestige, few Americans have ever drunk that horrible coup de rouge or coup de blanc that the less-well-off in France have to swallow; compared to these truly awful potions, our jug wines are sheer bliss.)