N0TE8. y 



persuaded farmers to enter and helped them to prepare their wines. 

 In going over the prize list, it is noticeable that under light dry white 

 wines for Classes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, all the prizes were 

 awarded to farmers in the Paarl and Tulbagh districts, whereas the 

 Constantia area took all the first prizes for light dry red wines for 

 Classes 11, 12, 16, and 17. From the above it must be concluded 

 that for light dry white wine, Paarl, Tulbagh, and probably Stellen- 

 bosch are more suitable, and the Constantia area for light dry red 

 wine. That the Constantia area produces such excellent red wines is 

 usually attributed to its climate and soil, but in that area a large 

 amount of Carbernet Sauvignon is grown, and there is no doubt that 

 "this grape produces an outstanding quality wine. It is well known 

 "that a Hermitage can be improved in quality with a blend of 20 

 per cent. Cabernet. It is hoped that otber districts will start to grow 

 Cabernet, as very little is grown at present outside Constantia. 

 Blends with Cabernet made at Elsenburg and the Paarl Viticultural 

 Station have been submitted to merchants, who expressed the opinion 

 that these wines ran the Constantia wines very close if they were not 

 as good. Particularly with a view to export, owners of large vine- 

 yards of Hermitage should plant a certain amount of Cabernet with 

 which to improve their whole crop of red wines. 



Two types of wine which are usually very disappointing at the 

 show are Sherry and Port, and Mr. Van Niekerk does 

 not remember ever having tasted a wine with a good| 

 Sherry character at these shows. This i-j not surpising, as 

 very fe\\' farmers ever try to produce a wine with a true Sherry 

 character, and 1 esides very few wines will develop that 

 character within twelve months, and more so if not specially made. 

 The 1920 show showed no improvement. The so-called Port types 

 are usually a collection of sweet wines with traces of no Port 

 character. In 1918 and 1919 Mr. R. Cloete, of Constantia, exhibited 

 a sample of Port. Many readers will remember that the judges in 

 1918 expressed the opinion that it was one of the best samples of this 

 "type ever exhibited. For some reason or other the 1920 sample wsts 

 not up to the standard of the two previous years, and it did not even 

 get the first prize — although it must be stated that many of the public 

 who visited the show did not agree with the judges' decision. Mr. 

 Yan Niekerk suggests that prizes be offered for Sherry and Port types 

 •of not less than 15 months old, as in the case of brandy. Then 

 probably samples with more of the true character of these types than 

 at present will be shown. 



Another class that seems to be regrettably neglected is the Sweet 

 Muscadel. It is hoped that the districts of Montagu, Robertson, and 

 Worcester will in the near future take up seriously the matter of 

 making these wines and produce a class of sweet wine as good as can 

 he produced anywhere. 



Oversea Exhibition of Union Produce. 



To advertise the products of the Union, the Trade Commissioner 

 is arranging a permanent exhibition in London. One is also being 

 held this year in Amsterdam. In this connection sheep and Angora 

 breeders have been asked by the Department to co-operate in the 

 collection of a creditable exhibit in advertisement of their products, 

 and it is trusted that they will grasp the opportunity offered and rise 

 to the occasion. 



