F.W. COSEN'S MONTHLY CIRCULAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 293, 27 November 1862, Page 4

F.W. COSEN'S MONTHLY CIRCULAR.

16, Water Lane, London, September 19th, 1862. Since I had this pleasure by the August mail, the flclmand for wines and spirits has botn limited, to purchases for actual wants. Brandy maictains its price, the vintage it is estimated will yield only from one half to two thirds of an average crop. Rum quiet. Wines of good qualities realise extreme rates, Inferior and common sorts are heavy, tha supply of the latter being in excess of the demand. The home consumption of wine for the seven months ending 31st July, is considerably in excess of the same period in 1860, although short of the figures of 1861. The totals being :— Gals. January to July, 1860 4,766,60$ Do. 1861 6,920,705 Do. 1862 6,825.456 The exportation irom the bonded depot of the United Kingdom was for the same period— Gals. January to July, 1860 .. .. ... 1,308,887 Do. 1861 .. ... .. 1,071,455 Do. 1862 ■ 1,117,358 The quantity cleared for home use and export totals therefore no less than 6.942,814 gallons in seven months. These figures evidence that -a very great extension has been given to the commerce in wine since the reduction of the duty to its present limits. Wines. Sherry.—According to the latest advices from Jerez a very fair estimate was possible of the yield of of the coming vintage; all things remaining favorable, the quality would prove good, and the yield •about an average. Young wines, of fair quality, continued to command attention, and prices were well maintained. Eor fine old Soleras and Amontillados (the supply being limited, and held by a fewwealtby AJmacenistas) extravagant rates had been paid.

■ Since the Electra in December last no direct shipments are reported to any of the Australian ports. Port.—Late letters from the- Douro advise more favorable weather, but the vintage would be a late one ; the yield i 3 variously estimated, but all agree in putting it below an average. (Jfood wines command full rat^s, but new common sorts were lower, The Belvidere had left, with a small cargo of port wine for Melbourne and Sydney, shipped (it is reported) by W. G-. Roughton. Maisnla.—The reports from Sicily ai'e very unfavourable, the vine disease having appeared. 'Prices remain firm with an upwaad tendency. French. —The accou t» from the varions wine producing districts of France have been more or less unsatisfactory, the weather had at last improved, and a fair yield was hoped for. Spirits. Brandy.—The weather at Cognac had improved, and the vintage was about to commence. The mosc reliable estimates give (he quantity as likely to be from one-half to two-thirds of an average. Business | in 18G0 and older vintages is reported at stiffer prices, and the general opinion was that the market had seen its lowest. Trade in London continues confined to small sales for actual consumption, but prices are well maintained.

Rum.—The demand for this spirit has again slackened, but at una'tered value?.