Out-Drink the French?
A French rebellion is brewing.  And it's taking place in the vineyards.  Seems that in 2010, the U.S. surpassed France as the world's largest wine-consuming nation.  And, the French are hopping mad.

French dominance of the international market has been eroding for years under the onslaught of quality and cleverly marketed wines from the New World.  (Yes, that be US!)  And, even worse, consumption in France is down.  Vintners there are worried that their French brethren will stop drinking altogether – and one government health official recently proposed the screwy idea to outlaw wine altogether.  Délirant!

Many French blame their president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who is a steadfast teetotaler – and proud of it.  Most of the time he sticks to fizzy water and orange juice.  And now with his pregnant wife, Carla Bruni, even Italian wines are a big NO in the country of wine lovers.

One group of winemakers in the south of France has even threatened “violent action” if the new prez doesn't come out in support of the wine industry against foreign competition.  They long for the leadership of someone more like past-president, Jacques Chirac who “at least knew how to put the drinks away.”

We won't get political here...but we cheer the United States for its smarts in wine consumption.  Plus, we plan to raise our glasses in celebration of the other French Revolution -- Bastille Day on the 14th.

à votre santé

Barbara and Beverly
The Saucy Sisters

The Saucy Sisters are wine and spirits experts with a twist. A twist of humor, that is, that they use in their books and in their live performances.  Their next Brentwood appearance is “Wine Tasting for Floozies” at Durego on Friday, July 22. For more information, call 615-925-9586. You can email them at Saucies@SaucySisters.com or find them at www.SaucySisters.com.