expire-images:2009-3-30

Slumping Economy Prompts Queen To Cancel Party

You know the economy is not doing too well when the Queen of England cancels a party, and not just any party, her diamond wedding anniversary party (60 years of wedded bliss with Prince Philip). The Daily Mail reports that Queen Elizabeth decided not to hold the party, which was to be at The Ritz this weekend, because she felt it would be "inappropriate" to hold a the extravagant soiree while so many people are hurting financially. The was to have include the usual Queenly appurtenances including plenty of Champagne and a diamond theme that would have included many glittering decorations with Swarovski crystals. Certainly such lavishness with a country on the brink of recession wound not be unprecedented but it would perhaps be a bit unseemly. The party was originally scheduled for last November but was rearranged because the Queen was in Uganda at the time and so she felt that a big celebration on a day that wasn't even near her anniversary was unwarranted.

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Tags: diamond anniversary, england, expire-images:2009-3-30, queen elizabeth, queen of england, QueenOfEngland, the ritz

Magrez Plans Mt. Fuji Wine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about wine baron Bernard Magrez's recent wine moves, selling off estates in Bordeaux and picking up more land in Chile. Now in a move that is really intriguing, he as picked up a vineyard on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan. This makes Magrez the first French wine player to set up shop in the country. He has purchased a small six hectare domain (close to 15 acres). He plans to produce a high-end white wine. Magrez owns 35 vineyards on four continents.

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Tags: bernard magrez, BernardMagrez, expire-images:2009-3-30, japan, mount fuji, MountFuji, wine