VINE CULTUEE AS EXEMPLIFIED AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION. 449 



Sauterne types from white grapes, and the sparkling from both. We 

 might add, as a probable source of supply for some wines of those 

 descriptions, the Dominion of Canada, from the vineyards of the vast 

 Province of Ontario ; and, as a possible contributor not yet entered upon 

 the competition, New Zealand may also be included. 



On the other hand, we may look forward with some degree of 

 certainty to our great South African possession resuming its position as 

 an exporter of wine. It is due to the Cape Colonists to say that had the 

 present Imperial sentiment existed during theyears when their very excellent 

 strong wines, such as Pontac and Constantia, which have almost dropped out 

 of public knowledge, were being imported, those wines would still have a 

 wide currency among our consumers. There is no reason why, in the 

 future, wines of the Port, Sherry, and Madeira types should not thence be 

 abundantly supplied. 



In conclusion, those who would endeavour to extend the growth of 

 the vine in our Colonies, and from commercial motives alone would 

 naturally wish to produce the best type that soil and climate would yield, 

 will do well to recognise the distinct classes of wines which exist in 

 Europe. Seeing that the extra price obtained for the finest article is out 

 of all proportion to its superior intrinsic value, while the actual cost of 

 producing the choicest is not greatly beyond that of the most ordinary 

 variety, the wisest counsel that can be offered is that the grower strive to 

 produce the very best wine possible, either from black or white grapes. 

 There will probably be no difference of opinion that as regards still 

 natural red wine, such as Claret and Burgundy, no country can be more 

 worthy of imitation than France ; that in the natural white varieties the 

 growths of the German wines from the banks of the Rhine and Moselle — 

 for the most part the produce of the Riesling or Muscatel grape — will be 

 awarded first honours all the world over, in spite of the undoubted merits 

 of the French wdnes, Sauterne and Chablis ; while the strong or preserved 

 red and white wines. Port and Sherry, the produce of the Alto-Douro of 

 Portugal and of Andalusia in Spain, are examples for all countries ; and 

 that, lastly, France is at present unapproachable either in sparkling wine 

 or in brandy. 



These are the types which should guide us as to the vines and 

 localities selected in planting vineyards in the Commonwealth of 

 Australia, as well as those in our extended territory in South Africa. To 

 this end never was a more useful lesson than that taught by France at the 

 Paris Exhibition of 1900 to the people of the world, and ourselves 

 especially, bearing in mind that the whole of the countries of Europe 

 which include within their frontiers any vine-growing lands do not equal 

 in extent the vast tracts of territory in our Australian possessions alone. 



If, therefore, the information now presented serve to fix the attention 

 of our own people on the nature and volume of this prodigious industry, 

 the partnership in which should in future belong as much to the British 

 Empire as to the rest of the world, it will be a pleasing recompense for 

 any labour involved in its collection and arrangement. And it will be an 

 additional satisfaction if others are encouraged to pursue further this 

 subject of viticulture, which seems the more inexhaustible the more 

 deeply it is studied. 



