BLENDED WINES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 224, 10 December 1927, Page 15

BLENDED WINES

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCT TO STAND ALONE WINE-MAKER DEFINED “T AM of opinion that a winemaker is a man who makes wine from the raw materials. A person who buys and mixes New Zealand and imported wine for improving the flavour, or any other purpose, is not a wine-maker.” Til is statement was made by Mr W. R. McKean, S.M.. in a reserved judgment at the Police Court yesterday. Several months ago a number of Auckland wine manufacturers and sellers were prosecuted for selling as New Zealand wine, wine which had been fortified and blended with imported wines. It was then contended that the practice was accepted in other winegrowing countries, and judgment was deferred in order that certain amendments might be made to the Licensing Act. These amendments, however, were included in the Licensing Bill that was held up by the Legislative Council.

Mr. McKean said that the evidence satisfied him that fortification of New Zealand wine was not necessary. “If imported wines are added to New Zealand wines, I am of opinion that the blend so produced is not New Zealand wine, and cannot, therefore, be sold by the holder of a New Zealand wine licence.” ALCOHOL PERMITTED He went on to say that the addition of alcohol to wine was a recognised practice. That fortification with brandy was permitted was apparently contemplated by the legislature, for a customs rebate was granted on spirits used in the fortification of New Zealand wines. The question whether the holder of a New Zealand wine licence should be allowed to sell the more highly fortified New Zealand wines was one for the legislature, as was also the ques tion of the permitting of addition of imported to New Zealand wines. The charges against the following were dismissed:—John Page, John Thomas Barry, Vlademer Kugene Persarenko and Assid Abraham Corban. Stephen Vella was ordered to pay costs on tjyo charges, and Gordon