Sign me up!
    Jeff Sullivan, January 7, 1999
    It was interesting the way they threw stones at French prices (when much of the wine is sold on futures at far lower price levels than alluded to in the article, while in the U.S. most wineries simply stick it to their longstanding customers).

    Later in the article it says:

    “I don’t know what would happen if, say, Opus had a bad vintage,” said Beard. “You can’t really price back down once you’ve reached a certain level.”

    Again, the more mature French market does adjust (or forego price increses) in "off" years.  To me this article and the views expressed in it are just another data point that the U.S. wine industry at large is out of touch with tis customer base, and has no intention of providing fair value, just charging as much as the market will bear.  When I can't afford to drink the same quality wines from year to year, this wine hobby is much less interesting and my money does go elsewhere.  By prospecting on Internet boards for good wines instead of buying wines blind to taste (and by drinking more zinfandel), I spent half as much on wine in 1998 compared to 1997.  However, I'm prepared to go futher and simply drink from my cellar as more wines drop off my list, and join the ranks of people who have simply moved on to other interests (as a surprising number of my friends have).  It's only wine.

    If zin prices follow cabernet, there's nothing wrong with a fresh heffeweisen.  In the meantime, I'm sending an email to get on your mailing list!

    Thanks,

    Jeff