New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-25
MILLIONS FOR CHAMPAGNE.
OVER $4,000 QUARTS DRUNK AND WASTED
LAST YEAR.
HOW NEW BRANDS ARE "PUsHED'-MANYT THINGS
ABOUT THE SPARKLING PRODUCT OF Ihh
GRAPE THAT HAS ENRICHED

AROI-T THE SPARKLING PkODUCI Of
GRAPE THAT HAS ENRICHED
FRANCE.
Only champagne pushcr. Let him alone.
II is the first work he ever did in his life. Give
him a chance 10 earn an honest living. lie be-
lonrs TO the leisure class-has no money, cannot
steal and 70 beg he is ashamed. You wouldn't
call his occupation work, you are inclined to
sheer at it, but do you know, it is entirely be
yond your ability? You might stand it twenty
four hours Then you'd declare breaking stone
easier Habit if not nature has fitted him for 1t
as if has untitled him for anything else.
He was an deliberately dressed person. one who
delighted in hearing himself spoken of as a
"younc man about town." term the exact sig
nifcance of which has always been in uoubt
among seriously minded people. When gided
youth becomes young man about town he has
reached the completion of hope. the summit Of
happiness. In the eye Of the sober public he may
appear the tadpoc turning into the frog, but
in his own gddy estimation he is a jolly Prince
Hal The champagne pusher had been froa
these ten years. and his hopping had ceased TO
attract attention. lie had the sense to see that
he the verge Of being forgotten, so he he
came what he is-a champagne pusher.
Last night he led two Chicago acquaintances into
a fashionable cafe uptown and ordered bottle of
the wine he had been hired TO push new brand
from Ay. of which only some 500 cases were
imported in 1889.
We have none Of that brand in the house,
sir the waiter alphabetically informed him,
whereupon he fcigned the utmost amazement
What" he exclaimed. You have--?'
Not bottle in the house, sir.
Did YOU ever have bottle in the house
H. 81, Ioo rl ofi 4 no
fore 20
"I-I-don't know. sir, for certain. will ask
the manager"
Call the manager. Send him 10 me
The manager was man of experience. He
had seen champagne pushers before and knew the
article AT glance. The young man about town
had no sooner begun TO invcish against the cstah-
lishment for not keeping frst-class wines than
lie broke in with
Il know vcur business. sir. and know mine
We have all the champagnes we want Just now.
] know the brand You represent. and while |
have nothing against IT, for il iS an excellent
wine, il will not pay me 10 introduce it, When
il becomes fashionable. when il IS demanded by
ny customers. | shall order supply. Not any
tonight, thank Won Shall | order Won bottle
IF Pommery. Numm. Piper Hcidsieck Pcrcr-
Jouct. Clcquot. Meet q Chandon. Louis Roci-
ecr Dry Monopole. Extra. Grand Sec or Del
heck"
The young man about town looked ms if he
felt himself weighing a ton. but in reality there
was a difference Of over 100 pounds in the
weight Of himself and the manager. all in favor
Of the latter. who in consideration OF that al
vantage escaped thrashing. The champagne
pUsher. while not actually ashamed Of his oc-
cupation. was much Inundated by the exposure
The astonishment Of his friends wounded him
far more than the language of the MANAGER. To
save himself in their eyes was his first thought
and as an effort in that direction ne threatened
To report the manager 10 the owner q the cafe
for using insolent and insulting language l.
quests. lie then arose apologizcd 70 hi, friends
for having introduced them to such a place and
invited them 10 accompany him across the street
10 Blanks. which he could recommend as n NJ
sort for gentlemen. and where he felt quite Ger
tain Of finding the champagne desired Ilayng
sold Blank three cases the previous morning he
was justified in making the latter statement
IL is unnecessary - follow tie Young man
about town further His methods are the same
everywhere. The agent Of tie manufacturers
who and trying 10 introduce the new
brand has engaged him - push the wine al all
the hotels and the better class Of restaurants,
He is well known - the social world as some
thing Of "A counosscur. and IL Is supposed That
the initiative set. seing him enjoy "A bottle Of
-, viii insls. on having q quart of tie same
TO he in the SWIM" don't YOU know His
compensation IS p small commission on his sales
and an allowance Of so week i'm trade: that
is, he may order for himself and friends 70 drink
$50 worth Of the new brand provided he does il
In a manner 70 attract attention.
THE AMERICAN DEMAND FOR WINE
The consumption Of champagne has increased
in recent years 20 an almost incredible extent
America j. now the LARGEST consumer bat one i'm
The world England or rather the British En-
pirc. heads The list. Hundreds Of thousands of
cases are exported in bond from London 10 the
British colonies. feature Of The business from
which the United States is entirely cut off, as
10 goods can be shipped from this country 10 an
other country In bond. The American trade in
imported wines j. purely domestic Free trade
England imposes heavy duty on champagrcs
but the United States tax Is still greater. being
less than :; 30 case. The value Of ease
in bond is from Sl3 70 SD The wholesale
price - dealers In this city is from S24 TO s..
q case. or from = - 80 hotti, The universal
price al hotels and restaurants is 81 30 for quart,
and 81 90 for pints. apparently very handsome
profit The retail dealers make no such profit
such firms Park a 1ford and Acker Neral
a tondit. which, from the nature 81 their bust
NfsN. ma ~ necessary To hhuulc cNdWrHgnes
would be- glrd 20 ud themselves Of the entire
business there is no money in il for them
Either ~ them viii sell YOU "a quart Of excellent
champagne for - 80. OF pini for 81 81, AZ e
profit Of 10 cents bottle. which dwindlcs b.
nothing when carriage. storage and delivery are
placed IN thc balance against IL ~ course cham
payne, bought 30 that way are not ic"d but as
nearly every one has an i.c Doc, ~ home. Le need
DC az 30 serious expense ~ prepare the wine for
drinking " rule our hotels and restaurants
serve champagne, 900 cold Excessive cold de
sr''s the " life Of good wines When there is
-" m"ch joe there is too littlc sparkle. tie quai-
nv Thai Americans so delight in. Ackcr Neral
comm ana Park a 1lford sell about 80. 900
cases Of champagne each year AT 4, nominal nroht.