Oak Alternatives in France
In an update to the previous article about oak alternatives, it now seems that the French have caved in to economic necessity. The French government today said that it would soon allow vintners to use wood shavings to flavor their wine rather than using expensive wooden barrels. It will also allow techniques to lower wines’ alcohol content.
However, not all people are happy about the changes. “In the end, we are going to make wines like we make food at McDonald’s,” said a man who works at a small wine bar in Paris.
France’s wine industry has faced stiff competition from the likes of American and Australian wines. Last week, the government also announced a €90 million ($108 million) plan to aid the ailing wine industry.
