You might think that of all the controversial topics in the
world, wine would be pretty far down there in the grand
scheme of things. However, current events in the world
reared their ugly head and dragged French wine into a
political issue from which it may have dithculty extracting
itself.
,
,
The issue is France’s recent unconscionable test beneath
the surface of a Polynesian atoll. In the month ot
September the conservative government ol France led by the
all-too-Bugs Bunny-cartoon-named (Black) Jacque (. hirac
saw fit to conduct the first nuclear test by a country other
than renegade China since 1992.
Currently the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is being
negotiated by the reigning nuclear powers. Even our
President Clinton, who seems to have no stand on any
issue, strongly advocates a treaty that bans nuclear tests.
This test flies in the face of current world politics, the will
of the people of France, general good neighborlyness not to
mention stewardship ot the earth.
The only reason nuclear weapons arc tested in this era is
(OK China does it for political gamesmanship as much as
anything) to see if you can stull a nuclear bomb into an
eggshell of Leggs pantyhose and still kill every living thing
w ithin several hundred miles. There is no more theoretical
data to be gathered. We pretty much know how they work.
How small can they be made'.’ Can we disguise it as a
pencil? What if we name it Fred .’ Can we make one that
will, in fact, kill cockroaches? Such are the nature ot
questions posed by countries slavvering to test iheir arsenal.
Ah, and where does wine lit into all this? Well, people
are quite pissed at France. Sure, here in the good old US of
A we waggled our finger disapprovingly, stammered a lew,
"Tut,tuts" like some oversized Winnie the Pooh, issued a
press release through the Office ot the Person the Press
Doesn't Talk To, called it a day and ordered $800 million
worth of stuff on the Parisian version of the Home
Shopping Network. Other countries have pulled diplomats,
launched fairly massive protests, rioted in the streets and
attacked French consulates in their countries.
Take a little peak at a map or a globe. The Polynesian
Islands (and a colony of France mind you, just in case you
thought imperialism was on the wane) are about as far from
France as you can get without leaving the planets surface.
Just a geografical point of reference to show you that these
displays of anger are entirely well merited.
So somebody has to take the heat for this egregious
action. As no one is going to be boycotting French movies
or cars (since no one buys them to begin with) the logical
choice for an economic boycott ot France is, unfortunately,
their wine. It is uniquely French, well known and proably
carries enough political and economic muscle in the country
to put some heat on Mssr. Chirac to at least mutter in
public, "Je suis un idiot."
In Britain, which imports somewhere in the
neighborhood of 40 million gallons ol French wine
annually, they are taking this whole thing very seriously
(imagine that). An ad has been put together (this is running
on TV on the good old BBC) that features a Chirac lookalike
sipping on an unmistakeable bottle ot French Bordeaux. As
the crosshairs of a powerful rifle scope focus alternately on
Chirac’s head, stomach and private parts an announcers
voice says "Hit Charac where it really hurts." The
crosshairs swing to the bottle of wine and the bottle
explodes in a million pieces, splattering the French
President with red wine. The boycott is on.
Boycotts, by their very nature, tend to focus on an entity
external to the situation at hand. Nitpickers have theii
moments in the sun with this fact, pointing out that "the
little guy ends up getting hurt." Sad but true. The burden
of the boycott will rest upon the brawny shoulders ot
France's national past time. Can the Leroys, Romanee-
Contis, Moutons, Rothchild, get Chirac to admit that this
test was unnecessary, an affront to the people of the world,
entirely unexcusable and won't happen again Chirac is a
stubborn bastard with a conservative streak a kilometre wide.
Fortitude will be tested.
Personally speaking I will engage in my own private
boycott of French wines. I am a huge fan of Burgundies,
am attracted a good Bordeaux and enjoy many of the other
top varietales (Sauternes, Loire, Chablis, etc.). However, as
a decent and principled human being and a former Greenpeace
staffer (these folks recently dropped an anti-nuclear testing
banner in Tianamen Square) I will be swearing off the
purchases of these wines until some retraction comes from
Cherac. Write to your Senator (we only have one these
days), Congress people and President about how you feel.
Encourage the imposing of sanctions, withholding of all
Jerry Lewis material and basic nastiness.
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Laurel’s
Cannon
Beach
Wine Shop
263 N. Hemlock
(503) 436-1666
We feature a wide selection
of domestic and imported cheeses,
cold cuts, and freshly baked
breads.
Fresh salads and hot or cold
entrees daily.
—-■'Ttif—
Check us out, were worth the drive.
312 Pacific Hwy S. Long Beach, WA
Open at 10 AM; Closed Tuesday l-(3 6 0 )-6 4 2 -
2 5 35.
Cannon Beach
In
Coaster Theater Courtyard
Established 1977
Featuring Norlhwcsi, California
& Imported Wines
Collector Wines From 1875
Through Current Vintages
Featuring Over 1000 Wines
Wine Racks, Glasses &
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Wine Tasting
Every Saturday Afternoon
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QUIET COTTAGES
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1001 C onnecticut A venue N W
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(503) 436-2237
188 E. V A N B U R E N
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CANNON BEACH, OR
Open 11 AM-5 PM - Closed Tues.
436-1100
124 N Hemlock
P.O. Box 652. Cannon Beach O R 97110
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THE
RENTALS • SALES * TRIPS ♦ CLASSES
s
ANNIE'S KAYAKS
If SO3ZJ68-6O55W
48 7 HWY 1O1
IN WHEELER, OREGON
Casual Dining
Overlooking the Hestucca River
KAYAKING ENHANCES LIVES
ART SAVES LIVES
Spirits • Mot Sandwiches
Fresh Seafood Dinners • Home Baked Desserts
Live Music Every Saturday night
Recommended Wines for the Month: A more than
respectful tip of the hat to our friends in Australia. These
people are really ticked at the French and are showing it by
demonstrating, rioting (politely), pouring French wine into
the streets, cancelling French governmental contracts and
telling them to not bother submitting any more for the time
being. The Aussies (and their New Zealand neighbors) are,
collectively, the worlds largest group of anti-nuclear
activists. They live with a huge ozone hole directly above
them for large portions of the year and arc trying to get folks
like us to relize our actions affect them. They also make
some damn fine wine. I have done some exploring recently
and I encourage you to put down that Chateaunauf de Pape
and toast Australia.
Penfolds 1991 C abernet/Shraz Bin 389: Shiraz is
the most widely planted Austrailian varietal. It is the same
grape as the French Syrah. When combined with the
typically big, fruity, tannic Aussie Cab it creates a
wonderful blend that is silky smooth, broodingly deep,
loaded with spicy berry fruits, leather, sweet oak and coffee
flavors. Penfold is one of Austrailia's top producers and
many of their wines arc fantastic deals The Kixmunga HilJ
series stands out for sub-$IO wines. This one will run
about $15-$ 16. It is a fine wine with foods right now but
will cellar beautifully for years to come.
10
UPPER LE FT EDLE OCTOBER. 1115
(5 0 3 ) 9 6 5 -6 7 2 2
pacific city , oreoom
Penfolds G range Hermitage (1990 an 92 most
commonly available currently): One of the more
expensive wines you will run into. Usually retails for a
$90-$ 100. Consider a purchase an eligant way of
boycotting high end French Bordeaux. This wine will
cellar, given proper conditions, for 30 or more years.
Recent vintages can be drunk now hut you will be passing
up the true essence of this w ine by being impatient. Wait
and drink it in the futrue on the inevitable day that nucelar
testing is banned in theroy and reality.
Lindeman 1994 Chardonnay Bin 65: A bit of a
cliche here. Many people have beaten me to the punch on
this one. Lindcmans is consistanly reveiwed as a top best
bargain wine. Their Bin 65 Chard usually retails for about
$7. The quality surpasses many ehardonnays twice its price.
Minimal oak lets the fruit come through and despite a
straight forward simplicity it has good weight and depth.
Pack a picnic, get your feet in the sand, enjoy a glass ot
wine and some of the last warm sunsets this year has to
offer.
★ ★ ★
Northwest Best Places
A w a rd al Bxcallanca
The Wine Spectator
1117 S .H taU ack
P O I . i 4«
Caaaaa Stack, O B 9711t
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