Wine in the time of Tariffs
The news about tariffs is giving me whiplash, and its hard to know what the reality will be in a week from now, a month from now, or 6 months from now. But let's be blunt: A 20% tariff on all European goods, even a universal 10% tariff, truly means just one thing--prices are going to go up. There's no way to sugar coat it.
It is clear that the powers that be in Brussels, Paris, Rome, Madrid, and every other European capital are busy contemplating what to do next. But from our armchair, it seems like a new tariff reality is probably going to be here for awhile. As the French would say, Tant Pis.
We've heard it all already, "it could be worse" (yes, it could), "it won't last" (given the seesaw of the past week, maybe, maybe not and we're not ready to bet on that), and "suppliers will lower prices to meet you halfway" (no they won't). Let's remember something--our suppliers are subsistence farmers, moms and pops that work on tractors, and have made huge investments in their property, their buildings, their materials, and their stock. It's always good to remind ourselves that they're craftspeople, but they're also in business.
Every single one of them is a generous and honest soul, but their work isn't benevolent. When it comes to the bottom line, they know what their hard work and their wines are worth.
Here's a silver lining, though, at least for the moment: We got smart over the winter and loaded in a big pile of extra stock. However, all that tasty stuff probably won't last us through the end of the year, and we'll eventually need to get used to this new world.
For now, however, smart wine buyers might consider grabbing some of that stock at prices that clearly aren't going to last long. And, it's a good time right now to do that while the weather is ship-friendly, and you might want to load up for summer.
In that spirit, below is a round-up of a few highlights we have in stock now. You can reply here with your orders, and as usual, mix and match for a 5% discount off any 6 bottles, and 10% off mix cases. If you prefer to browse our entire stock, you can go shopping right here, or drop us a note and make an appointment to swing by and do some shopping in person.
• Domaine Delaunay Muscadet 'Val-Fleuri' 2023
A bright, lean and zesty white from the edge of the Loire
• Corvée Chardonnay 'Quaràs' 2022
Delecate high-elevation Chardonnay for the Anything But Chardonnay dinker
• Pietra Del Focolare Colli di Luni "Augusto" 2023
A fresh squeeze of lemon and sunshine in your glass
• Poggio al Sole Chianti Classico 2022
Pure energetic Sangiovese, with the structure of fine Burgundy
• La Nivediere Chinon 'Renaissance' 2018
Ready to drink, 100% Cabernet Franc with silky tannin
• Fleur d'Eymerits Lalande de Pomerol 2022
A muscular blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
At some point, not too far from now, we'll dip our toes back in the water and check the appetite for this new world of tariffs. Until then, let's throw our support more firmly than ever before behind the little guy and make sure our access to, and enjoyment of, their work is not too quickly forgotten.
In Free Trade we Trust,
Dan