Recent protests in the Carcassonne region of France escalated into violence as masked individuals vandalized a major wine operation in response to the influx of cheaper Spanish wine and rising production costs, according to a report from France 3. The unrest, which highlights ongoing tensions within the French wine industry, is linked to growing concerns over competition from lower-cost Spanish imports and the increasing financial struggles faced by local winegrowers.
On December 2, masked assailants targeted the Grand Chais de France, a prominent négociant operation in the region, committing acts of arson, vandalism, and tampering with wine storage tanks. The attackers spray-painted the property with the acronym “CAV,” which stands for the Comité d’Action Viticole, or the Winegrowers’ Action Group—an extremist organization with a history of violent acts in the Languedoc region.
The protestors’ grievances stem from the widespread importation of Spanish wines, which are often cheaper and do not adhere to the same strict production standards as French wines. Winegrowers in the Carcassonne region argue that this influx of low-cost imports is undermining local wine prices. Additionally, many protesters are frustrated by the rising costs of grape production, which have put further strain on their livelihoods.
The Grand Chais de France, one of the largest négociants in the region, confirmed the attack and filed a police report. The vandals set fires around the property, emptied tanks of wine, and defaced the facility. The CAV organization, which has been linked to several violent actions in the region, has long been opposed to the importation of Spanish wines, which are seen as direct competition to local Languedoc producers known for their affordably priced offerings.
The CAV has a controversial history, with reports from VinePair describing it as a “French wine terrorism organization.” The group has been involved in numerous violent acts, including arson and threats against industry professionals. Notably, in 2008, members of the organization kidnapped and assaulted a Chief Inspector from France’s Inspection du Travail. The group’s most recent activity includes a bombing in Carcassonne earlier this year.
The tension in the region comes at a time when the French wine industry is already grappling with a series of economic challenges. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for French wine has fallen, compounded by extreme weather events and rising production costs. In response, the French government has introduced measures to support struggling winegrowers. In August 2023, the government allocated approximately $215 million to encourage wine producers to uproot their vines and switch to alternative crops, though this has been met with resistance from many farmers who see it as an impractical solution.
Protests by winemakers have intensified across France, particularly in Bordeaux, where large-scale demonstrations have occurred in response to plummeting bulk wine prices. The recent actions by the CAV have only amplified these tensions, further deepening the rift within France’s beleaguered wine industry.
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