The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-05
are told from France that all the re-

are told from France that all the re-
markable features of the season of
1911 have been repeated in 1865 in
the french vineyards. The grapes
have been so plentiful, and the Juice
so spontaneous, that large quantities
OF wines have been wasted il conse-
quence Of the want of casks in which
to store it, and of people to gather
the grapes and make the vine. In
parts Of Burgundy it is said that new
wine is selling at from four to nine
cents per gallon to those who furnish
their own barrels. Prices like these
are so very low that it will follow that
there will be an immense production
of brandy, and that the best quality
OF this liquor, wanting age only, can
be sold in France at considerable less
than dollar gallon. The price in
this country may be somewhat affected
thereby; but when it is recollected
that gold rates must be paid for the
purchase Of the article, and Just as
much as the article is worth be paid
in duty at the United States custom
house, also in gold, added to which
viii be freight and profits, any great
reduction in the price of brandy in
this country cannot be looked for
As an article of consumption in ths.
United States: brandy is now of small
account, except for medicinal pur-
poses and among the wealthy. The
price has driven it out of ordinary
use, and whiskey is king. The taste
tor the latter among drinking men
has increased so much that even if
brandy were SO reduced in price as to
be able to come in competition with
whiskey, the latter would hold its own
against the foreigner
A very curious history might be
made out of the changes in drinking
usages in this country. Before the
Revolution, the gentlemanly drinks
were Madeira or Port vine, and for
ordinary purposes the rum or spirits
of Jamaica or the West India Islands.
which was then sold cheaply. At So
clal gatherings punch was the great
beverage. The breaking up of our
dependence on England rendered for
eign spirits dear; some reliance was
placed upon New England rum, but
the popular mind gradually settled
down upon gin. Fifty years ago gin
was drank in the United States as
commonly and generally as whiskey
IS now. Low tariffs then brought in
French brandies and their limitations,
which, from cheapness, became ex-
ceedirgly popular. The light French
wines, particularly champagne, be-
came objects of commerce, and grew
rapidly in popularity. But revenue
regulations produced new changes,
and brandy becoming too dear for the
means of ordinary drinkers, whiskey
was forced into service. ssOld rye
was at the time in Pennsylvania the
only indigenous fluid, but success in
the West in the distillation of whiskey
from corn has made. cold Bourbon
somewhat celebrated. The lager beer
interest, which has grown steadily
since about the year 1850, has now
become immense. It has acted bene-
ficially in keeping down the consump-
ton Of spirituous liquors, which, but
for such means of relief, would now
be frightful III extent and excess.
Probably the next great beverage
universal in popularity among us Will
be American wine. The facilities for
the production of light wines in this
country are very great, and we must
expect that our domestic wine pro-
duct will advance with astonishing
rapldity. .-PhizadeLohia Na1uirey
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