Sure, there is a small group of Bordeaux producers that fetch stratospheric prices for their wines – the top estates, some of which raised their prices recently with a few hundred percent year-on-year… But for many other Claret producers the reality is less cheerful. A recent study by the Chambre d’Agriculture de Gironde, based on a sample of 105 producers in Entre-deux-Mers, shows this: average turnover has decreased 27% in 8 years; operating income is on average one seventh of what it was then; 36% of the estates made a loss in 2004/2005; only a quarter of the producers can pay themselves a salary that exceeds the French SMIC (minimum salary); sold volume has decreased by 38%. And yet there is much good wine made there! vitisphere.com
