In this interesting tidbit (that I illegally scraped off of a random news site) it looks like the EU has taken an interest in improving the quality of its wine -- by paying growers. I guess that's one way to do it. Heck we've been paying people here in the States to not grow things at all, maybe this will work?
AP - BRUSSELS, Belgium
A fine wine improves with age, but not when you're cranking out the bottles so fast that the quality suffers.
That is what's prompting the European Union to set aside millions of dollars to encourage vineyards to improve their wines.
The EU is expressing concerns about a glut of low-quality wines, especially from France and Spain.
So the vineyards are being offered subsidies, to encourage them to rip out their old vines and plant better varieties of grapes.
It's hoped that with better crops, they can better compete with wine-making rivals in Chile, Australia, and the United States.
Even the countries that are new to the EU this year can get a share of the 500 million dollars in subsidies.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Digg it! -
Add to del.icio.us -
Add to Stumbleupon -
Add to Reddit
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Now There's An Idea: Pay to Avoid Plonk.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.vinography.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/5967
Kubota Manju (Junmai Daiginjo), Niigata Prefecture Alfred Gratien Champagne, Epernay, France: Current Releases Join Vinography at The Aspen Food & Wine Classic '09 Last Day to Get Fabulous Wine Prizes for a Steal! The Intersection of Wine and Design: The DWR Champagne Chair Contest™ Book Review: American Vintage by Paul Lukacs Boston Wine Expo: January 24-25, Boston, MA Menu For Hope Campaign Extended with New Prizes! Two Hands Wine, Barossa, Australia: Current Releases American and Italian Wine: Movin' on Up!
Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo, Toyama Prefecture Wine.Com Gives Retailers (and Consumers) the Finger 1961 Hospices de Beaune Emile Chandesais, Burgundy Wine Over Time The Better Half of My Palate 1999 Királyudvar "Lapis" Tokaji Furmint, Hungary What's Allowed in Your Wine and Winemaking Why Community Tasting Notes Sites Will Fail Appreciating Wine in Context The Soul vs. The Market 1989 Fiorano Botte 48 Semillion,Italy