HE MAY HAVE LOST THE BATTLE, BUT FRANZIA PROMISES TO WIN THE WAR

Fred Franzia, creator of Two Buck Chuck, made a rare appearance before the press promising victory in the war for American consumers. "In 10 years you'll be astounded how few wineries will still be profitable and be in business," Franzia said Tuesday. "Bet on me. I'll pound these guys." At the conference, Franzia introduced his new brand, Harlow Ridge, and went to great lengths to persuade those present to drink more White Zinfandel. Despite the sometimes negative stigma attributed to Bronco - especially since the recent lawsuit with Napa Valley growers - it is the fourth largest U.S. wine company with little debt and growing attraction. Franzia believes that most Americans are not willing to spend much on wine. "No bottle of wine is worth more than $10, in my opinion." He called White Zinfandel the “American wine” because the prices haven’t changed, and pointed out that White Zinfandel is still America’s 3rd favorite wine by volume.

Franzia told the crowd that he doesn’t “want to see Americans buying wines from Australia” or Italy and wants “more Americans drinking wine from California.” He went on to compare the Australian wine industry’s current problems to the second tower of the World Trade Center after the airplane hit, saying, "Their internal structures are burning. They look OK on the outside, but they'll figure it out soon when they collapse like that tower."