WINE CULTURE IN N. 8S. WALES. 929 
British middle classes, because the refreshment catering was 
monopolised by Bass. Millions then first tasted Bass’ ale, and 
liked it ever after. In like manner the N. 8. Wales public 
need to have their own good wines introduced. For instance, the 
Metropolitan Show of the Royal Agricultural Society offers an 
opportunity of once a year setting before the public the merits of 
the wines of the Colony. During the last two exhibitions 
encouraging efforts were made, but much more remains to be 
done. The formation of the Central Wine Growers’ Association 
places the interest of the industry in representative hands, but to 
ensure success at Moore Park money will have to be expended. 
Might I suggest a strong united effort being made to place hefore 
the public at the Royal Show an exhibition of the wines of the 
Colony, and all the appliances of manufacture and cultivation 
connected with the industry, together with facilities for tasting 
wines of superior quality only, utilising the Continental Cafe 
system, where visitors sit around little tables out of doors if the 
weather be fine, and sip their glasses at, leisure. 
THE EXPORT TRADE. 
A. first consignment of Australian wine—e.g., N.S. Wales— 
reached London in 1851, amounting to 255 dozen, say, 510 gallons. 
In 1895, 6,249 gallons were sent. The extension of wine culture 
in N. 8. Wales involves in the near future an export trade which 
at present is infinitesimal, chiefly because the good wines are all 
snapped up for the local trade. There are, however, in a large 
number of cellars, bulks of wine which owners desire to turn into 
money, but buyers for export reject ; and some wine-makers have 
essayed export on their own account with more or less unsatisfac- 
tory results. 
The British market for Australian wines is developing on dis- 
tinct lines. The stronger wines of South Australia and Victoria 
have been chiefly drawn upon by London houses, who have spent 
large sums in advertising and building up a connection. The 
Semen has, therefore, developed on inne of body, strength, and 
cheapness, chiefly represented by full-bodied, dry reds, of deep 
colour, and about 22 degrees proof spirit, approximating to Bur- 
oundy i in type. Export buyers offer vineyardists of the Hunter 
2s. 6d. per gallon for one-year wines fit to ship, and would take 
all they could get, the destiny of the Hunter reds being to blend 
with stronger Australian reds to supply that standard of quality 
custom has now fixed fur the British market. 
The problem before the wine-makers of New South Wales, 
seeing that no export trade exists, is to map out a definite scheme 
of wine export, and to work steadily for success. Quality and 
uniformity are essential factors, whilst economy of production 
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