DaleW wrote on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:36:54 -0700 (PDT):

D> On Mar 15, 3:32�pm, "James Silverton"
D> > wrote:
??>> �Steve �wrote �on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:20:42 +0000:
??>>
�??>>>> Steve �wrote �on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:12:04 +0000:
�??>>>>
�??>>>>>> How far can you "widen the vineyard" to increase
�??>>>>>> production/profits before you dilute the "terroir"?
�??>>>>
�SS>>>>> This article partly addresses your question
�SS>>>>>
�??>>>>
http://www.wine-pages.com/guests/tom...-expansion.htm
�??>>>>
�??>>>> It all sounds very plausible but industrial flacks are
�??>>>> good at that! I will await the rationalizations when
�??>>>> the zone is expanded to include California :-) In some
�??>>>> ways, I was reminded of a common preamble to Vatican
�??>>>> announcements of a radical changes: "As the church has
always
??>> said.........".
??>>
�SS>>> Are you saying Stevenson is an industrial (industry?)
�SS>>> flack? �Why do you think that?
??>>
??>> I used to think that Elliot Spitzer was an honest crusader
??>> against fraud too!
??>>
??>> James Silverton
??>> Potomac, Maryland
??>>
??>> E-mail, with obvious alterations:
??>> not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

D> Stevenson is probably the most respected independent expert
D> on Champagne. Certainly he is a fan (would be ridiculous to
D> become an expert if one didn't like), but he is scarcely a
D> flack, as he is very capable of slamming vintages or
D> individual wines he dislikes.

D> As noted, all of the villages proposed to be added are well
D> within the historic area that is noted for Champagne
D> production, it's not as if there an expansion into Ile de
D> France (or Belgium) - or even into greater
D> Champagne-Ardennes.

I must admit that I was not aware of Stevenson's reputation but
the web site seemed a paraphrase of the information I have seen
from the Champagne Growers Cartel. I accept that very good
sparkling wine is made in Champagne and by French Champagne
companies in California. It sometimes seems that the expansion
is a grandfathering and legalisation of current practice.

I know that Champagne growers are an altruistic organization,
whose greatest concern is the greater glory of Champagne, France
and probably God and who are concerned that I should not be
mistaken about the sources of the Champagne that I drink :-)


James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not