AUSTRALIAN WINES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2738, 17 February 1910, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN WINES.

INCREASED CONSUMPTION

In their annual letter to the “Times,” Messrs. W. and A. Gibbey, London, referred to the Australian product as follows: —“The trade in Australian wines lias been progressing in a wonderful way for some years past, the consumption during 1909 showing a decided increase over 1908— so much so that, unlike Europe,' the question of supplies is becoming a serious matter to the importers in England, as the .phylloxera has made considerable inroads. throughout, Victoria, and the prices have risen accordingly. Successful efforts, however, are being made to combat the disease by replanting the affected vineyards with graftings u 5/0 n resistant stocks. In spite of this damage, the vintage has turned out. a very large one. there being an increase in Victoria of 70,000 gallons over last year, and in South Australia an increase of more than 1,000,000 gallons. The Targe wineries are helping the growers to successfully combat phylloxera at Rutherglen, the largest wine-growing district in Australia. by offering £7 per ton for Carbinet, Shiraz, and Malbec grapes, and £6 10s for other varieties delivered at the wineries. This offer is made conditionally that any phylloxera-stricken vineyard shail he reconstituted with graitrngs upon resistant stocks. The action of the wineries in increasing the price of grapes to a maximum of £7 per ton has met with great a.imreciation, and it is stated that the Rutherglen district may he regarded as now safe from destruction. This district is one of the most important to the Eng-' lish market, as it supplies ‘big’ wanes entirely suited to the British palate.”