Monday, May 25, 2009

The great come back of a superb has-been, who could inspire budding idols

With the title "The come-back", sung by Alain Chamfort who, having worked with Jacques Dutronc, Claude François and even Serge Gainsbourg, was cataloged as a has-been, a little early.

Why an issue on "has-been"? :
"Through the launch of the new version of Fine Wine, the first free magazine for the general public dedicated to wine and spirits, launched simultaneously in France and the UK, we publish a special issue, to be launched during Vinexpo (100 000 copies distributed in Bordeaux from June 21 to 25 and then in France and England).

In this context, we are including an outstanding piece on the theme: "Is Bordeaux has-been?". Indeed, Bordeaux suffers not only from the economic crisis but also an image crisis. Is it too expensive? Is it timeless or outdated? Is it still fashionable or old-fashion? It is important for us to give a voice to everyone, ie specialists on one hand, including wine-growers, winemakers and sommeliers, but also personalities from the art world, sports and politics, and the general public, in short, consumers (or not!) of Bordeaux. "


A few years ago, I also had to answer journalists if garage wines were has-been. I remember a meal with some friends at the Clos du Roy where a journalist from a lifestyle magazine asked this question at the table and I believe I terrorized by repeating every 5 minutes the word has-been as I did not want to hear it anymore, and could not take it! For my part, I like Alain Chamfort who, at 60, still seems as stylish and attractive and above all who will never be has-been. The word has-been refers to someone whose fame has passed.
If you look closer, it would not be so bad to be treated has-been: it means at least at some point, you were someone "well-known". Actually, often those who treat others as has-been, have never had any success ...
The revenge of the creeps, the wicked, as Audiard used to say.

In any case, the garagist movement will never be has-been. Some garagistes may disappear, but not the movement that, even with the crisis, finds new followers in every countries where wine is produced (there will also be garagists in China!)
The word has-been was also given by James Suckling about Bordeaux in the film Mondovino, while he was interviewed in Italy!
That was before the 2005 vintage, where the whole world wanted the vintage from a region which suddenly was no longer has-been.
Even if it is tempting, during a period crisis, to consider Bordeaux as has-been, it will never hold - for Bordeaux is so "diverse." Even wines too classic for my taste are not and will never be has-been, as there will always be customers, or journalists who love them. If ever Bordeaux falls out of favor in a country, there would be another who finds its merits, which can be as diverse as quality or history.
Has-been is the one who said that he is! (a school saying)
In any case, being a has-been does not matter, because on a regular basis, nostalgia for the past, "true values", being bourgeois attracts many, from middle-class bohemian, to hipsters in the music world, restaurants, antiques as in wine.
Did you say has-been? How has-been!
Did you say bizarre? How bizarre!

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