The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-14 00:00:00

THE WINE TRADE.

The following is the circular of G. E. Balleras and
Co., agents for Messrs. Larios Hemanos, and M. Ponce
de Leon

"London, Ist January, 1853.
" Commoner descriptions of sherries are eagerly sought
after to supply the Russian and Australian markets,
which have become new and larger outlets for our pro-
duce, and the growers are now demanding from the
shippers much higher rates, whose stocks during the
last ten years have considerably diminished, whilst the
lower sorts are purchased iiith unwonted avidity for
distilling. purposes ; from these causes, ordinary cheap
wines of last vintage, to be used for distilling, cannot be
purchased under 101. per butt, at Moguer, Chiclana,
and Sanlucar. There is now nothing from two to three
years old possessing soundness, and suitable for the Eng-
lish market, obtainable for less than 14/ ; in the natural
state, unfit for shipment, which must eventually 'tend to
the enhancement of present quotations. We observe
also a steady increasing demand for the higher qualities
for consumption here, which will, ere long, have its full
influence on the Spanish and other markets.
" Combined with the increased demand, we notice
with much regret, that last year's [vintage, although
firm in quality, only amounts to half an average crop ;
and taking into consideration that of 1851 was but one-
fourth in yield, as compared with an abundant season,
which is estimated to produce 4 to 5 butts for Aranzada.
It is much to be deplored that Spain has not been exempt
from the disastrous effects of ungenial weather, but fortu-
nately, last September was altogether propitious, and the
small gatherings were husbanded in perfection. It would
be premature to speak with accuracy of the quality of
the new wine until the spring, when the mosto' is
racked from its first deposit of 'lees,' then it will be dis-
covered if fermentation has progressed in the right di-
rection ; until then, the true quality is not developed.
" However, to demonstrate the buoyancy of the mar-
ket, reports are current and well founded, that the
prices, exclusive of casks, will approximate for the new
mostos' of Xerez and Port St. Mary, ,from ill, to
121. ; St. Lucar, 8/. to 9/. ; Chiclanas, 71. 10s. to
81. 10s. ; and Moguer, 91. to 9/. 10s. per butt, all de-
pendent on the result of quality.
"In Malaga the vintage is ascertained to be barely
one-third only of an average ; therefore from this district
there can be no wine reserved for distillation.
"We beg to remark for the guidance of the trade,
that, for many years past, efforts have been made to
deprecate the Port St. Mary's in juxta-position with
those denominated ask' Xerez ; but it is now high time
that this delusive impression should be fully exploded,
for they are identically of the same growth, produced in
like soil, and sold indiscriminately, after being made into
wine, without the least restriction, to all classes of buy-
ers. The nice distinction, however, consists simply in
this, that one house ships from the Portal, near Port
St. Mary's, the other from Port St. Mary's itself.
" BRANDIES.—The superior qualities are those distilled
in Allunol, which have risen from 110 dols. to 135 dols.
per puncheon of about 112 gallons, o.p. 50. This is a
fine delicate spirit. In other districts, from the dearth
of low wines, second qualities have been proportionately
stimulated.

"From the foregoing, it is more than problematical
that the large exports of sherry will (from the advanced
rates demanded) compel shippers in general to augment
in some degree their card prices, obviously to protect
their friends, as also to enable them to sustain their own
integrity."

MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.—lnformation of the following
robbery has been forwarded to the police. On
extraordinary
Tuesday evening a young gentleman arrived at the lodging
Miss Keays, Norfolk-street, Strand, with a large
house of
quantity of luggage and money. Having, as he supposed,
safely deposited his luggage in his apartment, he went
out for a walk, returning soon afterwards, when he was
astonished at finding his trunks and portmanteau forced
open and completely emptied of their contents, with
thirty
‘sovereigns that were in the portmanteau. The
thieves, who it is supposed effected their entrance either
through the waste ground in Arundel-street, or through
37, the uninhabited house adjoining Miss Keays's, also
stole a large quantity of property belonging to that lady,
with which they escaped. A. short time since Mr.
Skales, surgeon, within two doors of Miss Keays, was
similarly robbed by thieves, who entered his house
through the empty house, 4, Arundel-street, the robbers
carrying off a quantity of plate and'other valuables. In
the former, as in the latter case, the police have as yet
failed in tracing the burglars.
FRENCH CONTRACTS FOR TOBACCO.—The following
adjudications on tenders for the supply of leaf tobacco
to the Government were made on Monday. M. Pesca-
tore for 1,200,000 kilogrammes Virginia at 96f 97c. per
100 kilogrammes ; 120,000 kilos,
of Kentucky at 71f:j
1,200,000 300,kil000os. of Dutch at kilos. of Braz
Gal92f. ; M ilian at 10line,6f. 5
1, 352oc.
ada, ;
'aonoo
.
kilos. of Maryland at 85f. 33e. ; and M. Mang
150,000 kilos. of Ilaxannah at 284 f.
for the Pre-
Thomas, the secretary of the Royal Societyoerr a
complaint
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.—MATCH AGAINST TimE.—Mr•
vention of Cruelty to Animals, has Pr, I Inn Oxford,cefm.
against John Pickett, of the Plooungn
the Inn,
oSrpovee the
ber last, in a race againstte
having cruelly overdriven a pony on
and back: ji. di
2 The case
pony from Oxford to London_ora
wager of
petty sessions,
117 miles, in 20 hours,
justicest
at the
defendant,
next, at eleven
will come before
.the
.ead, on monday
Burnham, near Maidenhead, stance of
i o'clock.