Trump's Threatened Tariffs of 25-100% on Many European Foods and Wines Now will force Eorope to raise the alcohols on their wines to 14.1% like many California wines thus making them carbon copies of one another so our variety of tastes and flavors drops drastically into a yawn, hum-drum boring selection : ouch!

                       There is no poetry in this move to raise tariffs!
                        It speaks of ego, greed and stupidity, and that
                         Is no poetry at all!

                         The only poetry and joy to our eyes and senses
                          Now is to put and end to this foolish nonsense
                   
                           And to trump this mess in the bud, raise our glasses
                           Beaujolais, Chianti, Gruner Veltliner, Dao red, Greek
                           Asyrtiko, Franken Sylvaner, Spanish Priorat, English
                           Sussex dry sparkling and Puglian Primitivo
                           Pick up French cheese & baguette, dip in Spanish
                           Olive oil E jambon, prosciutto spek , Manchego
                           Oh  for goodness gladness gracious times-happy
                           All for all should be always

       

     I am shocked to hear that some Spanish producers are already making some wines and raising their natural alcohols to a minimum of 14.1% so that they will not have to pat a tariff before leaving their cellars ( payment due before they leave ) of 25% or even higher. This changes the taste and flavor of the wine, it becomes something totally different. If they leave the natural levels of alcohol after fermentation then those wines at under 14% alcohol will go up in price 25%.

     This changes everything as we know it here in the United States. Everything is effected, everything, and not in a good way. Everyone is in limbo. Tomorrow much of the food and wine trade will demonstrate in Washington DC.

     Wholesalers have bought what they can afford to buy and pay for to cover the short term effects. They do not want to have to raise their prices. They want to keep their placements on retail store shelves and also on restaurant wine lists.

     Wineries may have to look for other markets. I have heard already that some will take their inventories of what was being sold here in the United States and sell it for more in China where they can get the higher prices.

     Retail shops and restaurants may have to buy other wines they know they can sell and will sell, and sell much less of their standard selections of the past from Europe.

     Local and wines made in the United States will become much more attractive as their prices will remain the same and be more cost-effective against their European counterparts.

     Online sales will also be effected. They may survive longer not having the overhead of owning and paying rent on retail spaces, brick-and-mortar locations, but eventually they, too will suffer.

     Every level of producing, buying, pricing, selection, and variety will be effected and probably change.

     Those people in the business employed now, being hired will change with many losing their jobs because of this as demands on all ends will change and find realignment.

     It is totally unnecessary, all of this. People, countries, wineries, wholesalers, on-premise restaurants, bars, nightclubs, resorts, and off-premise retail shops - all will have to reinvent themselves unnecessarily : and many will be fired, close, cease to exist.

     Why do so many have to suffer needlessly? Why are we all being kept in limbo like this? Why is this all about an administration's big ego?

     America has always been great and will survive if we all come together and raise our voices in unison and say : " Enough is enough! We won't take this anymore! "

I am an artist as well as a wine enabler/ retailer that sells and recommends fine beer, cider, sprits, wine - cheeses and all fine foods, too! Cheers.

Here is to a new decade 2020-2030 : let's trump this all in the bud now and get seriously back to smart business that benefits all and not just they few wealthy.

Let's get over our greed and stupidity and move forward as one.

Anthony Quinn , happy Saturday, February 8th, 20202