Ralph Peters' most recent article in the New York Post ("Dead Americans") has been linked by just about everyone.* It should be. He makes some devastating points about the probable real cost of French hubris and betrayal in both American and Iraqi lives.
Of special interest to me, though, was a postscript that (understandably) hasn't received as much attention.
Ralph Peters has canceled his orders for 2000 Bordeaux. And he will cancel his support for the Bush administration if it does not punish France for its betrayal.
This is no small matter. It's been quite a while since there was a vintage in Bordeaux of the overall quality ascribed to the 2000. Uber-wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. has declared it "the greatest vintage ever." Allotments of the best wines are relatively scarce, considering the huge volume of production. The early prices for pre-paid "futures" orders were astronomical and have only continued to skyrocket. And those lucky enough to have procured a stake can probably expect to recoup their entire investment by selling off a small portion of it via auction in coming years.
So if Ralph Peters has released his futures, well, he's really putting his money where his mouth is. As I've said before, I don't support organized economic boycotts. But my hat's off to those who exercise their convictions in their own purchasing practices. And French products are becoming more and more unpalatable every day.
(* I found it at Moe's.)
