For all the images of craftsmen winemakers, toiling fastidiously over their vines, lovingly nurturing their precious nectar and pronouncing lyrically about history, tradition and the soil - there is another less attractive aspect to the wine industry, which includes demonstrations and sometimes violence.
The Languedoc has a long tradition of rebellion when the market for wine at home or abroad supresses profitability and income. Back at the beginning of the 20th Century there were widespread riots around Beziers and Narbonne against the French Government's failure to maintain prices for the grape harvest, and the army had to be called in to restore order by force and bullets.
This year has seen more protests especially in the Languedoc with large noisy demonstrations, wine vats being drained, and some depots and vehicles set on fire. Recently wine growers from the Languedoc occupied the Chamber of Agriculture building in Nimes, and over in Bordeaux they bricked up the entrance to the Wine Board offices.
The cause is a combination of over-production and falling demand - especially at home in France. Whereas in the UK consumption of French wine is challenged by the competition from the New World, in France it is more to do with the fact that wine no longer occupies the key position it once did in French life - something which the recent campaign to enforce better road safety has not helped. Similarly some harsh restrictions on advertising alcohol in France have damaged the industry. In the Languedoc it is generally the bulk producers and the co-operatives which are suffering - many smaller, quality winemakers are doing well.
Bordeaux is a different story, more generated by the structure of the Bordeaux wine industry and the Appellation regulations - there is simply too much mediocre Bordeaux being produced, against a falling demand. At least in the Languedoc you can re-market your wine as a Vin de Pays d'Oc - and many have done so with great success. In Bordeaux that option is not available, and in an attempt to raise prices of Bordeaux the local Wine Board has proposed to declassify up to 30% of the production, which will cause severe problems for many producers.
The other problem is that in many areas the vine grows where little else can - the best wines tend to come from soils and conditions which make the vine struggle. Hence it is not always an easy prospect to switch from vines to some other commercial crop.
However, this is all part of the development of the wine industry - and the pinch will tend to hit lower quality producers, whilst top end wines and those making a quality individual product will survive and thrive.
For more on France, French Wine, Food & Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk
Keywords: France, French Wine,Bordeaux,Languedoc,Beziers,Narbonne
