No wonder Bush has been such a blockhead with the economy. This is a person that no matter what, does not get it. There are plenty of fine wines out there for a fraction of the price and when you get into the $500 range, you are often buying for your ego more than anything. There are exceptions but do you really want to prove the rule at such an event? Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Let the peasants drink boxed wine.

My favorite mayor (Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë) auctioned off an incredible wine collection that was started years ago when Chirac had been mayor. Michelin restaurants would have loved having such a lavish collection but Delanoë thought it was silly for a mayor’s office to buy and maintain such a collection and then the wines are much too precious to serve at official events. Chirac was less than happy with the auction but even in a nation of wine lovers, Delanoë easily won the debate.