Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-06-19

In addition to these there were imported during
the year nearly 1900 900 worth of Wine in bottles,
besides 1.7l5,717 gallons of Brandy, valued $2,-
859,312; 1,5S2,135 gallons of grain Spirits, valued
at $772276; and 1854 gallons of other Spirits,
valued at 1888 .494-making total importation of
Wines and foreign Spirits of 7691,731 gallons and
about 100000 bottles, valued at 81 4797 1893. This
it must be understood, is the inuoce value. After
entering for consumption the value must have been
raised to nearly S13 600, 900.
There is probably country in the world better
adopted to the culture of the grape or the manufac.
ure OF wine than the State of California and it is
with view to call the attention of our readers to
The subject that have published the above Stats.
tics. There is part of the agricultural potion of
this State IN which the cultivation of the vine is not
attended with the most remarkable success; and the
entire freedom frcm disease this coast, points,
gnfcanty to the fact that the Pacific slope of this
continent may eventually become the great winery of
he;world. There can be no doubt that there
proper attention g ven to the subject, and even
moderate amount of capital comparatively invested
we might in few years supply the wants of our
State, and gradually become exporters of Wines and
Brandes The attainment of the former end alone
would be great point gained, our importations of
foreign Wines during the year 1856 having been no
less than 2,O74 hhds 16 pipes, 9777 casks Sl8 bar
rels, 234 kegs, and 1868 cases, representing,
when sold here, sum of money Cat rough esti-
mate) not far from 100000.
That all this wine could be produced in the State
Of good quality as that imported there can be
no doubt. The wine now principally manufactured
here is OF two kiLds-one a Claret and the other
White wine resembling somewhat Still Catawba, or
perhaps presenting more nearly flavor between Sau-
terne and light Sherry. The quality, however, is
excellent, and the article is steadily increasing in a
vor. With proper labor, directed by Germans or
Frenchmen who understand the business almost every
kind of wine in favor could be produced here, to
which the guarantee Of purity that would attach
would give preference in every part of the United
States. ia
The culture of the grape has not been neglected in
this State but it has not attracted the attention its
value deserves. By the Assessors reports made to
the Surveyor General at the close of last year, we
find that in nineteen counties there growing
1911 1856 vines, and the number of cuttings put out
yearly is large Heretofore the large profit attend
ing the shipment of the ripe grape TO market has
prevented the manufacture of much wine; but it is
evident that this is only additional inducement fer
parties to enter the business. Unfortunately, the
spirit of large portion of our people is to look only
for immediate returns for present investments, and
any business which requires outlay of capital
from which no return can be expected for two or
three years, it is not considered fast enough 1t
should be remembered that the outlay required in vine
raising is not large, and that the vineyard is in
beritance forever. Some of The vines in the best
sherry raising districts OF Spain computed 10 be
over one thousand years old! The cost Of raising
the grape after planting is mere trlfie, and afer
the inyesme mt begins 10 pay profit, it never ceases
We know Of one instance OF party who went into