A New Kind of Wine Doctor !

Should a doctor recommend wine for your health? There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that drinking wine, particularly red wine may be beneficial to your health and well being and yet doctors are loath to recommend a glass of wine (or two) to their patients. Their common concern has been their fear of the possibility of turning you into an alcoholic. This seems rather an unfounded fear. If you have it in your genes to become an alcoholic,you don't need your doctors blessing to become one.
So I was pleased to see one enterprising doctor do a little smart marketing. I congratulate him for his efforts to take the sting out of what is for some people an unpleasant experience. Dr. Scott Hanlon, a family physician, will let you enjoy some wine right after you get that needle.

I find it rather ironic that a doctor will stay away from suggesting a glass of wine might be just what the doctor ordered but have no problem prescribing one of the anxiolytic ( anxiety reducing ) drugs. In fact according to the American Psychiatric Association 61 million prescriptions a year are written by doctors. One of the most successfull novels of all time was Jacqueline Susan's "Valley of the Dolls". It has sold more than 30 million copies. it details the use and abuse of uppers and downers. The "dolls" of course refer to the downers or mood altering drugs.
In a new book by Dr. David Herzberg, titled "Happy Pills In America - Our Complex Love Affair With Designer Consciousness" Dr. Herzberg states "Patients have always demanded sedatives and stimulants from their doctors, who generally oblige them"
Now I ask you, would it not be of greater merit to recommend a glass of the fruit of the vine from one of many wonderful wine producing valleys in the world ( Sonoma, Napa, Loire and here in British Columbia the Okanagan Valley or you name your own favorite wine valley ) rather than the very addictive drugs from the Valley of the Dolls?

Wine Marketing...French Style!

A crackdown on drinking drivers, reduced consumption of wine by the French, competition from New World wines, over production and a preference by 92 per cent of French consumers under 25, for other alcoholic drinks has created major problems for the wine industry in France. In a country steeped in history and culture revolving around wine, it has lawmakers proposing legislation that among other things would see youngsters in school taught about the glories of French wine. (please click on the pictures for larger images of some of that French fame)
I believe a program such as this proposal before the French legislature has some real merit. Not because I think it is a good marketing tool but rather that it gives the educational system an opportunity to teach youngsters about moderation in drinking and the health benefits of drinking wine.
In the meantime "crisis distillation" is still a major headache for the EU. But perhaps the French government should come up with an educational program for those unruly South of France winemakers. Things are heating up again and the more radical elements of the Winemaker's Regional Action Committee (CRAV) are ready to take their fight to the streets again.

Let me end with a toast to the French and à votre santé, mon ami!

Wine Marketing...which way is up?

In june of 2005, the CRAV ( the Regional Committee on Viticultural Action) took their fight to the streets in the South of France. The problem? An oversupply of grapes and wine. Was their a method in their madness? Not really, a year and a half later the problem still exists. But now there is a glimmer of hope. After 10 years of meetings by various commissions a proposal has been brought forward that would unite all of Languedoc's AOC's as well as the neighbouring Rousillon region. Now that is smart marketing. Placing a whole region under one banner and promoting it as such. However this raises some concern by some of the smaller up and coming wine areas. The plan is for the new AOC Languedoc to be in place in 2008. That is the plan... I don't see it happening all that soon. French governing bodies tend to drag their feet a bit.

A continent away, in the Central Valley of California, a different approach is now in effect.

The town of Tracy in San Joaquin County has now been put on the AVA map. Not happy about being lumped together under the California label, a determined Jeff Brown spend 6 years and $60,000 to convince the ATF ( Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ) to allow the creation of the newest AVA in California. So which is the right way to go? Produce the best wine possible and you will create a market and loyal following. Congratulations to Tracy Hills and Good Luck to Languedoc!!