WINE CULTUR# IN N. 8S. WALES. 925 
In this rapid sketch of the extension of wine culture it has 
not been possible to introduce the names of more than a few 
of those who haye built up the wine industry of to-day, the 
object having been to trace the establishment of wine-making in 
the two chief centres devoted to it in the Colony. Although 
there are very large areas of land in New South Wales pre- 
eminently suited for the growth of the grape-vine, the wine 
industry has established itself on the Murray and the Hunter, 
whilst it has nearly died out in its earliest home—the valley of 
the Nepean. The climatic conditions of the Murray are such as 
to facilitate the production of rich, luscious wines, not necessarily 
highly alcoiolic but frequently so, whereas the Hunter wines are 
moderately alcoholic and of a Burgundy type for reds, and 
the whites are allied to choice growths of the Rhine. Two 
climatic factors determine the character of wine, apart from 
those communicated by varieties of vine, culture, soil, and 
manufacture. Sunshine to thoroughly ripen the grapes pro- 
ducing sugar and rain affecting the density of the must. Vine- 
yards in the interior of the Colony are sure of glorious sunshine 
during the ripening period, whereas those near the coast enjoy 
more rainfall at the season when most needed for producing 
lighter qualities. The sunshine concentrates the juices and brings 
out the natural flavours of the grape-skin that are so highly prized 
by connoisseurs. It is the certainty of this brilliant sunshine over 
the whole of the wine districts that constitutes the most valuable 
feature in our wine prospects, in that wines over large areas will, 
each year, be endowed with those choice qualities that are only 
acquired during exceptional years in the European wine countries. 
In the sale of wine it is quality that tells, and with such favour- 
able climatic conditions the future ef the industry is assured. 
The following dates refer to the year of the introduction of 
various grapes, and the names in brackets of the importers :— 
Year. 
Small Black Cluster or Bur gundy ue: te. VS 
Miller’s Burgundy ; bar ve 1BI4 
Muscat Noir--—Black Frontignac uke ities Wet! Eff 
Gouais uF d ee a: er ot OTF 
Tinta [ A. * Co.) re ae ua wt 3825 
Verdeilho of Madeira... wie PSOE 
Muscat Rouge—Red Frontignac [A. ms Co.] wn PUS25 
Shepherd’s Reisling (raised prior to)... 0) ds2 
Malbec [D. N. Joubert] .. Ah POF 
Cabernet Sauvignon [D. N. Ji oubert] att Va RST 
Verdot [D. N. Joubert] .. aah oe BOOST 
Sauvignon Blanc . i ia = pate ROOT 
Reisling [Macarthur] =a ae ee ic 18388 
