"IN VINO VERITAS."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4206, 31 August 1892, Page 2

"IN VINO VERITAS."

It is now a well known fact thai

offing to theravages oftha Phylloxera and tbo enormous injury caused in recent years by severe frosts, the vueyards of the south of Prance are notli-

ing like so prolific, nor is the quality of the wines produced to be compared with that of some years back. In Spain and Portugal, where sherry and port wines are exclusively produced, tho yield is nothing like so great nor is the quality of the wines at all level

with the productions of past years. The same remark applies to Rhine wines, these alao show a serious fall-

ing off, not only in quality but in quantity. These facts, however, need not alarm the wine-drinking people ot the Antipodes, for at our very doors are produced wines of the finest quality and of absolute purity. Wines that' would gladden the hearts of the most

fastidious epicure who ever sipped critically the ruby or amber juice of the luscious grape. It must over be a mystery, or else it is that we are still strongly moved with our ancient" Insular prejudice," that we should continue to import winesfrom the Contin-

ent of Europe of doubtful qualit; and purity, when such magnificent wines as those manufactured tr

Messrs S. Smith h Bon at their Yalumba Vineyards, Angaston, South Australia, are obtainable closo at hand. As a proof of the excellence of these splendid wines we may mention that 1 the Yalumba Vineyard obtained a gold medal at the recent Exhibition held at Bordeaux, the very heart of the great wine-produoing country in France, iu competition against all comers. At tho recent Dunedin Exhibition the Yalumba wines obtained 8 special, 3 first and 1 second prize. Gold medalß have also been obtained at Melbourne and Calcutta, and a silver medal at Paris. Wo have sam-

pled, and ore therefore in a position to speak with authority that the Yalumba ports and sherries are fully equul, if not superior to the finest imported Continental winos. The dry wines, such as Cbablisandßeisling are simply perfect both as regards boquet and flavour, The fruity wines of the pure Australian type such hs constancies and muscatel are superb wines of their class, while the clarets can scarcely he distinguished from the finest productions of the celebrated Medoo Vineyards of France, Yalumba wines now command an extensive sale throughout Ausiralia and New Zealand, »nd are also much appreciated in Great Britain, If the

lighest excellence is any recommenlation for success, then tho successoi heso wioej should lie fully secured,