Dollar Decline Increases Exports of Wine to Europe - What's Next Deux Euros by the Two Buck Chuck Guys

It's no surprise that the major newspapers today declared 2007 a banner year for marketing California produced wines overseas. While the trade deficit in this category is still way upside down (no surprise at that!), the decline of the dollar might just be the kicker to move the needle in a big way on the export of our glorious juice abroad.

The article states that the leaders in this game are E.J. Gallo and Two Broncos - makers of Two Buck Chuck. Given the horrible state of our currency, their joke - a good one - about Two Bucks becoming One Buck over there make the the choice to "buy American" a good one financially for our foreign friends.

But what about things like higher alcohol in wines made in the U.S.? For the past couple of years, this has been the most discussed topic when comparing our wines with theirs (meaning France mostly).

I have to admit that I giggle a bit thinking of some French man or woman swigging (sorry) down a bottle of the "Buck" over a lite lunch at a cafe in Paris - a salade nicoise or an omelet - only to fall down when the stood up because they were drunk.

Will this be a stimulus for American producers to lower the alcohol content of their wines? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, is there any good news on the horizon for the American consumer. Only one - that maybe the "Buck" will be made for export only.