BWE visit to Bordeaux to assess what the hell is going on?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:56 pm

It may be time to do a quick BWE whirlwind trip to Bordeaux (3-4 days?) in the next year or two to assess what the hell is going on over there.

When do the important events occur, in March? When does the 2010 vintage get re-analyzed by the wine press?

I think we need a JimHow-led delegation (apologies for the third person reference) sometime in the next 6-18 months....

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:20 am

What about another BWE convention....2013??

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:32 am

I think you and Danielle need to be part of a BWE expedition that wreaks as much havoc over a 4 day period in Bordeaux as possible. A surgical, disruptive strke.

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:35 am

Certainly is a possibility. I need lead time as I'm booked time off wise until Fall 2012. Oct 2012 and after possible.

Danny

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:45 am

Just wanted to generate a discussion here.
I want to go over there for a few days and investigate for myself what the fuck is going on over there.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:00 am

I want to mingle with some of those crazy people over there and see my old friend Al Tesseron.
Those people in Bordeaux are crazy cats!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:13 am

Do you mean you want to ask them about pricing issues? Why prices are going up so much? Will they come down again, perhaps with 2011?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:14 am

I want them to know BWE is in the room.
Fuck HWSRN and Jimmy Suckling and Jancis Whats-Her-Name....
Bordeaux needs a good hard spanking.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:22 am

Do you have a particular goal in mind by raising the site's profile and/or spanking them? (bit of a disturbing image that

)

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:25 am

Still conceptualizing it, Bacchus, but yes, I always want to do things that push the envelope, that make people blush, that make them just a bit uncomfortable....

AlexR · Post by **AlexR** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:23 am

Jim,

I have a soap box to lend you if you wish to stand in front of the Grand Théâtre and tell everyone that the best wines are just too durn expensive.
I'm sure enough people understand English to get the gist.
I suggest you come with (large print) charts or a screen, projector, and Powerpoint presentation.

I'll try to whip up some media interest beforehand.

All the best,
Alex R.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:32 pm

I like that plan Alex!

Houndsong · Post by **Houndsong** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:38 pm

OK, I get it now. Occupy Bordeaux.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:53 pm

Hmm i like!!
You think I'm kidding!

tim · Post by **tim** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:18 pm

Sounds like a fantastic idea. How about in the fall of 2012, harvest time?

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:28 pm

Alex,

Soap box??? Isn't that what they used to kick out from under ones feet on the gallows in France?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:53 pm

First Growths for the 99%!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:51 pm

Now you guys are putting your thinking caps on!

AlexR · Post by **AlexR** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:06 pm

Jim,

Late March/early April is when the international wine trade comes to taste the new vintage. It is not easy for anyone not in the trade to be admitted to the various tastings.
May is a good month, so long as you plan things outside the (count ‘em) four public holidays that month. June can be too hot, and July and August (especially the latter) are “les vacances”, so scratch that. Early September is an option, but from mid-September to late October is not a good time because of the vintage.

Danny,

You wrote:
“Soap box??? Isn't that what they used to kick out from under ones feet on the gallows in France?”
No gallows. Guillotine here.

David,
You wrote:
“First Growths for the 99%!"
Now THERE’S an interesting platform! However, I think that the firsts should be restricted to the leaders of the New World Order, and that others should receive lesser growths according to their campaign contributions.

Alex R.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:20 pm

Leaders of the New World Order? That still smacks of elitism to me, Alex.

We're talking about France. If we want to make an impact, we need to start a religion (BWEism!) with Jim as our living prophet. And we need to show up prepared to cause work stoppages and set fire to lots of stuff unless the country recognizes our Bacchus-given right to First Growths!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:25 pm

Off with their greedy heads!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:19 pm

Thank you David, I'm glad someone recognizes my right to first growths.

I don't know about starting a new religion, however. That sounds more American than French! Commoners overthrowing the vino-aristocrats sounds more French. Jim could be our own modern Robespierre. Of course, that means he'll have to loose his head by the end of the revolution, but he can go to his grave (Haut Brion!) knowing what he's accomplished for his fellow revolutionaries.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:25 pm

The sacrifices I am willing to make for BWE, Bacchus....

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:02 pm

Currently, Bacchus, it is de rigeur for adherents of new(er) faiths to move to France and rouse the rabble, demanding rights and such.

Houndsong · Post by **Houndsong** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:46 pm

We can hook up with Johnny Depp. He's no Jerry Lewis but at least his head is screwed on straight.

robertgoulet · Post by **robertgoulet** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:59 pm

Hmmmm......not sure what to say here

Well I am all for capitalism and if bordeaux can get their price so be it

Those producers who overestimate their market value will have to make the proper adjustments
and I'll be there ready to pull the trigger long before they are ready to drink.

Recently, I was able to purchase 2 bottle of '04 Montrose for 35 bones each!!
'03 Canon La Gaff for $39 each!!

First growths????....I don't need no stinking first growths!!!!

In fact I enjoy finding these quiet little inexpensive gems as much as I love drinking the big boys ex. '04 Tertre Belves, '01 Johanna or "04 Château Larose-Trintaudon etc...

but going to bordeaux to share some Calon Segur with J. Depp would be fun times...Ha..
We can issue him a notarized framed certificate as an honorary member of bordeaux wine enthusiasts. My dad used to do it for Italian pro athletes when he was president of the Italian club. Hey, why not?

Ok, u can all flame me now!!! Searching for an extinguisher as I type

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:39 pm

Capitalism is dead! We need to socialize the banks! Socialize the Heath care system! The bankers have bought all the politicians! People have no food to eat! No heat for their homes! 90% of the world lives in unbearable poverty! Screw capitalism! Off with the heads of the greedy Bordelais! They are contributing to the subjugation of the rest of the 99% of us! Capitalism is great for the rich. For the poor living here in the U.S. and other subjugated parts of the world... not so much! Join me in the world revolution!
Sincerely,
Comrade How.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:45 pm

Just tryin' to raise a little hell here, robt. Gotta agree that the point of diminishing returns is reached well before first growth prices, particularly these days. And there is a lot to be said for finding the affordable gems. But it's tough to get the citizenry up in arms with such reasonable thinking.

Nothing like mixing politics and wine. Looks like Jim's politics are taking a hard tack to Port. Or would it be more accurate to say that he has become a Red fanatic?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:30 pm

Solidarnosk! Sol-I-dar-nosk!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:53 pm

I knew it!! "Howaniec", eh? Sounds kinda Russky to me! I'm getting in touch with Rush!

robertgoulet · Post by **robertgoulet** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:20 pm

Capitalism is dead! We need to socialize the banks! Socialize the Heath care system! The bankers have bought all the politicians! People have no food to eat! No heat for their homes! 90% of the world lives in unbearable poverty! Screw capitalism! Off with the heads of the greedy Bordelais! They are contributing to the subjugation of the rest of the 99% of us! Capitalism is great for the rich

This is just smoke and mirrors, we know Jim is one of the 1%!!!!!!!!! Come clean Jim!!!!!!!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:13 pm

Polish, Bacchus. Like a fine 1985 Bordeaux, Robert, it is all about balance. I've really been working hard to attain balance.

Sure there will be innocents in Bordeaux who will suffer in the revolution, just like in the French Revolution. Regardless, change must come! Off with their heads!

Sol-i-dar-nosk!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:33 pm

Polish, Russian?! Socialism, Communism, Terrorism!? We don't need to make such overly fine distinctions. They just get in the way of thruthiness. Anyway you look at it, it's all just more Euro-badness!

You keep thinking like that, Jim, and we'll make you an honourary Canadian.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:06 pm

I'm a Gandhian, Bacchus, a follower of RFK and MLK and Lennon.
All we are asking, is give peace a chance!

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:02 pm

JimHow wrote: Sure there will be innocents in Bordeaux who will suffer in the revolution, just like in the French Revolution. Regardless, change must come! Off with their heads!

I'm not holding my breath waiting for the chateaus' lunch and dinner invitations!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:29 pm

Houndsong · Post by **Houndsong** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:21 am

Polish, that explains a lot. Couldn't spell Howanski probably.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:23 am

Why do all Polish names end in "ski"?

We can't spell "toboggan".

Houndsong · Post by **Houndsong** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:25 am

No Maski.