GASCONY, FR-- France is trying to Boycott California Wine. You might think it is because of California wines growing popularity but apparently you would be wrong. People in France are saying "You ban our duck, we'll ban your drink."
France is trying to send a strong message to lawmakers in California for banning the French delicacy. Philippe Martin president of the General Council called for a boycott to all of the nation's restaurants selling California wines, to teach California a lesson. Not only is France upset over the principal of California not selling one of their top exports, but it's also going to cost them a lot of money.
The ban on foie gras in California went into affect July 1st and most restaurants removed it from menus not willing to risk a $1,000 fine. Now France could be getting the short end of the stick. The country produces more than 16,000 tons of foie gras every year, now a quarter of their U.S. Profits could go away, thanks to the California ban.
We talked with U.S. foie gras companies who said the ban is a big hit for sales of the French delicacy, foie gras. Central Coast News spoke with the founder of Mirepoix USA, Laurel Pine, who says her sales will be dramatically affected by the ban, as well as the French. "The French product could very well be 25,000 a week in sales that they're losing," said Pine.
So, France shot back at California Wednesday starting a boycott of all California wine sales in the country. Right now California is the number one wine producer in the world, selling 90% percent of the $1.4 billion in wine exports, France is the second largest importer.
The California Wine Institute said there won't be a significant impact from France boycotting California wine because very little wine from California is sold to stores in France. "It feels like a little bit of a slap in the face of a product that France is proud of and enjoys throughout the country of France," said Pine.
We reached out to Philippe Martin the president of the General Council in France to ask about the ban but because of the time difference we haven't heard back.
