RARE WINES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 875, 20 January 1930, Page 10

RARE WINES

Brandy in Bond for 40 Years VISITOR'S FASCINATING TALES There is romance in the wine and spirt trade. Who would have thought, in this age, that a bottle of -wine could be sold for something like £26. Recently, in London, several bottles were sold at this price. They were the last of the Emperor of Austria’s cellar and the last of his favourite and exclusive wine. Mr. Gordon Cornish, who represents many of the most famous wine and spirit manufacturers of the Old World, has been in the trade for 21 years. He is at present in Auckland and tells some fascinating stories of old vintages and of deals in famous brands of wines and spirits. He has handled some of the rarest of old French brandies. One particular brand of the Napoleonic vintage he disposed of at £25 a case. One of Mr. Cornish’s most interesting experiences was the disposal of a line of brandy which had been taken from a ship wrecked on the Australian coast. This brandy remained in bond in Albany for 40 years and it was 12 years old when it was shipped to the Commonwealth. He could not find a buyer for it in Australia so he shipped it to London, where it was sold for 78s a gallon. Mr. Cornish remarked that the taste of New Zealanders and Australians has been spoiled and that rare wines and spirits do not find a market on this side of the world. Few people think of laying down cellars as they do in England and on the Continent and consequently wines are not allowed to mature as they do there. 53-YEAR-OLD RUM He will tell you of a famous sherry which has just come on the London market. It was laid down when Lord Palmerston was Prime Minister of England. Then of another brand which was laid down when Queen Victoria ascended the throne, and is now being retailed. He will tell you of a brand of rum which has been allowed to mature for 53 years and of whisky which is sold at £3 a bottle. But those liquors are for connoisseurs.

Mr. Cornish has studied the history of wines and spirits, and has paid several visits to Europe and seen for himself the manner of manufacturing them. One variety of French wine can be made only from grapes grown on a certain 78 acres of land. There is some particular quality ill this area, which is to be found nowhere else in the world. It was originally bought by Louis XIII. of France, and later secured for Napoleon. The wine from this area is sold only to exclusive purchasers in France and England, but very few people can afford to buy it. Mr. Cornish says that the Australian tariffs have affected the whole of the importation of wines and spirits into Australia, but they have increased the manufacture and sale of the local product. One well-known firm is erecting a distillery and other whisky firms are erecting another at Corio, outside Geelong. In all probability other concerns from overseas will do the same thing. This, of course, means that more labour will be required in the industry in Australia. The tariff on whisky in Australia is 50s a gallon, French champagnes have been increased very largely, and the tariff has almost put German lager off the map in Australia. Speaking of French champagnes, Mr. Cornish says that this year has been the most perfect for a very long time, and that this year's vintage will be a most perfect one. The bloom on the grapes was never once touched by frost. Phenomenal prices for the vintage are being offered by English and Continental firms, and the matured product, when it eventually comes on the market, will be one of the finest ever made.

DAIRY COMPANY PAYOUTS The sum of £39,483 will be distributed to suppliers to the Rangitaiki Dairy Company for December butterfat. The total payout for the present season to date is £147,797. The Bay of Islands Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., reports that the amount of butter manufactured in December was 114 tons 16 cwt., which constituted a record for the company, and shows an increase of 36.28 per cent., compared with the same month of last season. For the seven months ended December 31, 1929, the total quantity ow butter manufactured was 412 tons, an increase of 27.3 per cent, on the corresponding period of last season. The monthly report of the Te Awamutu Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., states that the output for December shows an increase of 35 per cent., compared with the same month of last year, the quantity of butter butter manufactured beind 152 tons. The advance payment to suppliers for December butter-fat is Is 3d a lb. for finest quality, shareholders being credited with an additional ?.d a lb. The amount of the payment is £17,25?,. compared with £1.4,672 for December last year, when the rate of advance was Is s*d a lb. BUTTER AND CHEESE Merchants report receipt of overseas cablegram as follow: New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., from London, dated January 18: Butter market steadier. 1565;. cheese less promising, white 87s, coloured 85s. Amalgamated Dairie N s, under today’s date, from London: Butter, Anchor 158 s; market firm. By watching the position carefully, we were able to take advantage of the temporary firmness. Danish steadier, 169 s to 1725. Deliveries of New Zealand. 1,633 tons; stock, 3,870 tons. Retail prices unchanged. Cheese: White, 87s; coloured. 85s; market firm on temporary shortage; Canadian. 96s to 9Ss; retail prices unchanged. N.Z. DAIRY CO-OP. PAYOUT FOR DECEMBER From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Sunday. The New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, will pay its suppliers tomorrow advances of Is 3d a lb, butter-fat for superfine cream received during December for buttermaking, and Is 5d a lb butter-fat for milk received for cheese-making. These advances show a marked reduction compared with those made for pre- \ ious months of this season.