American wine junky

CC, though I understand your motives, I really wonder who would get hurt more by a boycott of wines from France and Germany, the governments who make these decisions or the producers (oftentimes small producers) who make the wine. France's and Germany's decisions not to back the US does not neccessarily reflect all of their population's views, just as Bush's stance does not reflect the views of our population, in fact, it seems to reflect less and less the views of the average US citizen. Also if this is your reason for not drinking the wines of France and Germany, then maybe you should also check out the views of wine producers here in the US. I am sure that many winery owners, as many many other Americans, do not support Bush's actions.

Ok, enough of my political views on the subject, now for my views as a chef and lover of wine. America produces some great wines. ****, more than some, they produce many great wines. But American wines are different than European wines. Yes, the US makes some great Pinots, but they are different from the wines of Burgundy. The US makes some decent Reislings, but I have yet to taste one as complex or as well balanced (by acidity) as those of Germany. The same goes true for Sauv. Blancs and the Loire Valley. And I have yet to find an American producer that can do justice to Viognier or Beaujolais. When it comes down to it, I could be happy drinking just American wines (if American producers would learn a little finesse with the oak), but I would be much happier enjoying the best the world has to offer, and seeing as my political views are as such I see no reason not to.

I've been moving more toward drinking American wines -- particularly from New York State -- for several positive reasons, some only tangentially political. Those include promoting the maintenance of agriculture instead of increasing suburban sprawl on the eastern end of Long Island, and supporting local business (a great wine store not far from me). Less political is the issue of money: I just can't afford many of the European wines I would like to drink. For that matter, I can't afford the best American wines, either. So I am willing to "satisfice" with easily-obtainable, reasonably-priced wines which, while not necessarily the absolute best match for my food, are highly enjoyable. Besides, searching out the best wines within my parameters is such fun!

I see no point to trying to make a statement against some country's political leader by boycotting the products of its people. If that were the case, I'd probably be drinking ONLY French and German wines, and eschewing those from the US. But to me, that would be misplaced politics.

No problem with them

I have no intention of reducing my consumption of European food or drink just because they believe there are ways of bringing Iraq into line that fall short of war. The fact that our own nation is so divided over this issue suggests that their position is not to be taken lightly. I certainly don't expect the elected leaders of France and Germany to completely ignore the will of their own people and ram a war down their throats that they don't want. For this reason, I'm more appalled at Blair's stance than anyone's (including Bush's), but there's no English wine around to boycott.

As with all such consumer actions, it will boil down to whether their position bothers you a lot or not. If it did bother me, I'd probably lay off the French cheese and wine for a few months, but more out of my own discomfort than out of any attempt to influence the politics.

Mike