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French Country Life – Is it For You?
French Country Life – is it for you? I mean – Really for you? Short Answer: Depends on how close it needs to match your dreams of Life in the French Countryside.
Now, don’t get me wrong – dreams are good. Dreams are healthy. As you well know – I’m here because I had a dream of living in the French countryside. And I put that dream into action.
That’s the key. Whether you action is as simple as getting accurate information. That’s action. That’s outside the fantasy zone. And that’s where you want to be.
Where you don’t want to be – is making any life changing decisions without : a)experiencing your dream location in a howling snow-filled gale in the dead of winter.(the ultimate test of your heating system) (b) getting to know some of the locals (c) hipping yourself to the labyrinth of laws that govern things as miniscule as what color your can paint your dream villa, etc.
If your dream is for the DEEP south of France – ie – le cote d’azur (uh….that would be Nice, Cannes, etc?) you could probably pass on point (a)
OK – so now that you’re (hopefully) a little more “in the know” and (again, hopefully) in the mood for some French Country Life experience……
Here ya go!
THROW ME A BONE HERE, PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
Sarko’s 9/11
While my non-French readers are aware that the first round of Presidential elections kick off this coming Sunday, there is a disturbing (to say the least) “back story” here which, to my knowledge, has not reached the “Outside World.”
It is a (true) story of monumental deception, collusion, hypocrisy, betrayal, abuse,assassination, death and political manouevering. One that has implications for the people of every Western “Democracy.”
I’ve been preparing to bring it to your attention. But I discovered another journalist who beat me to it. His name is Joe Quinn.
And while the first few sentences of his report will seem like some wacko”conspiracy theory” – stick with him. Because what he reveals(quoting sources) is not theory, but fact. The cold, very hard kind.
Warning : Joe’s reportage is not a quick read. But it is an important one. As in – “read it more than once.”
Sorry I couldn’t bring you a sunshine-filled happy adventure this time.
Now – HERE’S JOE
THROW ME A BONE HERE, PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
China Buys Bordeaux
Absolutely. Positively. China Buys Bordeaux. Chateaus. Bordeaux wine. And, hey – why not – Bordeaux property.
There is a good reason for this. In a sentence : Bordeaux Winos need the money. And money, as we are all to aware is democratic and non-judgemental.
Money doesn’t give a rat’s ass about color, ethnicity, social position, family background, life acheivements and/or fortune in Men’s eyes.
Thus, with Bordeaux Wine sales in the basement of French Wine sales at the moment, any money is welcome. It just happens to be Chinese Money.
This state of liquid affairs is not new. The Chinese are regular investors in all types of French enterprises. Likewise the Japanese. Proprietors not only of Chateaus, but a major insurance company or two.
The reason is a variation on the “grass is greener over there” theme. While China and Japan are nuts about anything Western – they go POSTAL over France. Likewise the other Asian nations – who this year gobbled up a major production of Languedoc Roussillon’s production.
So – only natural they should continue to fuel their obsession by “buying in” to their dream destination.
The China Daily’s Yang Cheng has the details:
“A regional branch of Chinese investment firm CITIC broke ground last month on a wine production base in Shandong province in a joint venture with Domaines Barons de Rothschild, parent company of the Bordeaux region’s renowned Chateau Lafite.
The initial investment in the base has hit 100 million yuan ($15.87 million). The company hopes to build on the momentum of its brand Lafite, which has been thriving in China. Within the country, the combined trading volume of faked and genuine Lafite is estimated to be between 2 million and 3 million bottles annually.
Last year, China’s largest trader of grains and edible oils COFCO announced it had bought Chateau Viaud, a 20-hectare estate in Bordeaux, and expects it to yield 100 tons of wine every year.
The company’s wine business is growing 15 percent every year, Wu Fei, COFCO wine president, said.
“This is only an element of our global roadmap, following our trail in Chile. More deals may happen in South Africa, the US, Australia and much more,” an insider noted.
Dynamic approach
Discussing the company’s foray overseas, wine expert Li Demei said that better operations and marketing for the wine products are vital to getting faster and sounder returns for the investors.
Japanese-based beverage producer Suntory bought Chateaus of Lagrange and Byechevelle in Bordeaux, and through better marketing channels it has made the two brands popular and cemented a foothold in Asia.”
Read More HERE
THROW ME A BONE HERE,PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
