CHAMPAGNE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1943, 29 December 1913, Page 6

CHAMPAGNE.

THE VINTAGE OF Wl3. 5 Mr. Charles Heidsieek, iu his report on the champagne vintage of 1913, which on October 20 . had just boon gathered, states that good prospects of in abundant vintage were evident in tho early spring, but unfortunately _ tins heavy frost ou iho night of April 13 ! destroyed practically half of the young shoots'. Despite this misfortune, tho I growers ivero not discouraged, and, coiiitinned io give every attention .to tho j .vinos, and during tiro month of May and I early June their efforts were seconded bv ' a more favourable temperature, | which nmdo the outlook more gratifyinjr. July, however, proved to bo vet and fold, which resulted in"the faliin<r off of nn enormous quantity of the unformed fruit, and in addition to this the low temperature of Axiavist was a set-back to the normal.development of trie reniainmß fruit: It was now evident that the crop would he estremfil.v reduced, but it was hoped at -least that, the fine and warm weather would impart sufficiently quality to tho small crop that remained. Much rain and fremient storms dfstroved these hows, and to avoid further loss, the' vintage was commenced, on September 2fi, and with the exception of a few showery days, warm weather and favourable renditions wore experienced, which considerably aided the quality of this sniall vintage. _ The prices paid by the champagne shippers for the crop of 1913 were very hi<zTt, hut iii view of tho small harvest, the position of the crowds remains extremely- difficult. flic, stocks in the champagne country are already consider,ihlv denloiod. and wi.ll not be greatly reinforced hv the nresent. vintage. An abundant vinUcn in 1.314

is looked for to ameliorate this difficult situation. ■