On Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:02:29 +0200, Michael Pronay >
wrote:

>"Nils Gustaf Lindgren" > wrote:
>
>> During the meal we discussed what we would be willing to pay for
>> each wine, on the domaine. My thought was to look up their price
>> list at home - however, they do not have one. I searched their
>> web site (www.domaineweinbach.com) but it does not contain any
>> mention of anything as gross as costs at purchase. Perhaps
>> slightly too refined in my never very humble opinion.

>To the best of my knowledge, you won't find any prices on the
>homepages of Lafite, Mouton, Margaux, any Grande Marque Champagne
>house or top Rhône producer for their wines. Why do you expect
>something else from a top Alsace producer?

Well I think - with respect - you are being a little disengenuous
here. The aforementioned 1er cru classé don't sell direct to the
public, so it would be silly to publish prices. I would be surprised
if a Grande Marque Champagne did either. However, when I went to taste
at the Fallers, I was able to buy from the domaine without any
difficulty - other than the overweaning arrogance of the members of
the family. So that's one à priori reason to publish a price list.

The reason I say you're being disengenuous is that - in my opinion you
know perfectly well that the REAL reason they don't publish their
prices is for the same reason it's hard to find ANY prices online on
manufacturers websites in France. The absence of recommended retail
price is there to allow retailers to sell at any price they like, in
my view. I've never been to a country where the dictum 'caveat emptor'
was as true as it is in France.

And what is REALLY sad is that many winemakers don't seem to see how
much more they'd sell if they were open and upfront about their
prices.

--
All the best
Fatty from Forges