Well if long term confidence in the US dollar starts to fall, they won't be able to stop people using an alternative; currently that looks like being the Chinese Yuan. Recently, the Americans have asserted that China's artificially low exchange rate is causing imbalances in world currency markets and prolonging the recession. The Chinese have responded by saying that the real cause of the problem is that for years the US have flooded the world with dollars so that they could go on living beyond their means. They are both right, but as economists increasingly predict that in 10 years time, the USA will have been overtaken as the world's foremost economic power, the smart money looks like going on the Chinese.
Yes, the US would never allow that, but as you suggest, the suggestion is suggestive in itself! I think I might try and watch this tonight because if I leave it to i-player I don't often get round to it, like with the Faulks programme. Besides, I'm covering the "rise of China" in a class next week so it is sort of homework. (As much as you can cover the rise of China in one session anyway).
Thanks for the reminder, it looks interesting and pretty much in line with my thoughts on the situation. I might watch it tonight or possibly catch up with it on the iPlayer during the week. I have just been reading that there are suggestions in certain circles that the US dollar should be ditched as the world's reserve currency. I wouldn't hold my breath on it but the very fact that it's being suggested is a sign that underlines the message of tonight's programme. Yes that's me, it was taken in Italy some time ago.
There's a programme on that might interest you tonight. On Ch4 at 8.00 pm. It's about the fall of the west. Don't know what it'll be like but might be worth catching. Is that you in the photo? Pretty cool, nice hat.
Thanks Brian I will look into that. I have to visit Sainsbury's because I have run out of Westons and I am reduced to drinking bottles of Scrumpy Jack. We are doing a big annual Christmas shop at Morrisons Tuesday though, so I'll look out for it there as well. I'm hoping to get my hands on some Sheppys; it's a decent Somerset farmhouse cider which I've enjoyed in the past too.
Because I am eating salad at my computer, I have bought a bottle of Vouvray from our local store. It is a very nice white wine and not very dry but ideal for people who don't normally drink wine. It might be a good idea to give it to guests at a Christmas dinner even though it isn't normally drunk with meat but is designed to go with salads and fish dishes. It is a very popular wine with women and it's inexpensive at around £7 per bottle. Sainsbury's do a good Vouvray or two.
I'm afraid the St Emilion only lasted until today. Mrs Neely demanded a lasagne so naturally I had to open the bottle. It's okay with the food but I still longed for beer/cider for later. I've still got half a bottle which I've corked and will finish tomorrow.
Yes I would drink a standard Hock but not for preference. During my time in Germany I drank quite a lot of it because in those days there was a very high tariff on French wines which made them expensive to drink and not easy to get hold of. The ironic thing is that during the 19th century Liebfraumilch was much prized in England, but with the explosion of wine sales via the European Economic Community, it became something of a down market wine associated with wine lakes and Euro plonk, although there are still some pretty good ones available for those who like white wine. The best thing is to avoid the standard labels such as Blue Nun and Black Tower and go for the smaller producers.
No I've never seen a German red. But yes a nice light Burgundy at Christmas would probably go down well but I might get a similar look as that little girl gave you if I tried to break with in-law tradition and put a red on the table. I've never come across the Moselle wines I must say - though of course wine is only a drink I have behind ale and cider, though I will be drinking more of them with having the two weeks off of work. Out of interest would you drink a standard Hock at all then? I thought that they were regarded as fairly poor wines. As it happens I have one in the fridge, a mini gift from one of the wife's relations, can't complain or pull the nose up at free stuff. Years since I had one. Well I must go to bed, I'll speak to you tomorrow if you are around. We have got a concert on in the afternoon, one for the kids, Saint Saens The Carnival of the Animals with puppets and other bits and pieces, should be OK. Cheers, Neely.
Well, Hock and Liebfraumilch are one and the same thing and are pretty much of a muchness although there are a couple that are considered exceptional but very pricey in consequence. There are no reds worth drinking due to the unsuitability of the soil. On one occasion, many years ago, I was travelling in the Rhineland and tried out what German reds there were, they were noticeably thin although OK for a picnic or such. In fact, in Rudesheim, a well known wine producing town, I asked for a red wine in a restaurant and a little girl seated with her parents at another table said: "Look mummy there's a man drinking red wine", which gives you some idea how ignored they are among the locals.
