The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-03-05
WINES AND LIQUORS.


tations and Domestic Production.
General prosperity shows itself more
quickly in the consumption of wine
than in any other product, and accord
ing to the figures which have just been
made up in the custom-house the last
year has been one of unusual activity.
The importations of expensive wines
were greater than in any previous
year. When times are dull and money
is hard to get the average American
does not drink so much champagne and
compromises on beer, while even in the
"+0O' "Chateau Laftte' is likely to give
place to the excellent but cheaper prod
ucts of California. Last year, how
ever, was apparently one of high revel,
and enough rare wine was consumed to
float one of the new American war YES
sells.
AS niue-tenths of the wine importa-
tons of the United States come to this
port the figures of the New York GUS
tom-house represent the tastes of the
country at large. There were 1880, 900
bottles of champagne imported into this
country last year from the vineyards of
UCIIS Ill 1uCICdSC VI OUO,OOU DIS
compared with the importations of the
previous year. The larger part of this
wine was consumed in this city, and
Iuost Of it was consumed within ra-
aius of one mile from Madison square.
1t is not stated how many sore heads re-
suited from the imbibatlon.
The receipts of sherry for 1890
amounted to S35, 900 gallons-more than
in any previous year since 1888, and
20O,0 900 gallons more than came in last
year. 1t was also the biggest year for
port that the country has ever had,
showing a big jump over the importa-
tions of 1889, the total receipts being
111,7S7 gallons in wood and 279, $50 bot
ties. Seven figures are required to de-
note the quantity of German and Hun
garian wines which arrived in the
United States last year, and was pre-
sumably consumed, being l, 1919 gal
Ions in wood and 757,192 bottles, or a
larger amount of these wines than ever
before came to this country in one year.
A few years ago Italian wines were
almost unknown in the United States,
but the remotest corners of Europe are
III" up CilClI CllOlCtSU
for American consumption, and italian
wines have large sale here which is
growing steadily.
The importations of these wines last
year were 100000 gallons in wood and
$4,000 bottles. OF red wines from
Spain more came in last year than ever
before. the aggregate being 247, 700 gal
Ions. Not since 1888 have the importa-
tions of brandy been as large as they
were last year, for great quantity was
purposely brought in before the Nc
Kinley bill went into operation, in order
to save the heavy duties imposed by
that measure. The quantity of brandy
imported was 100000 gallons in wood
and 625,7ss bottles. The importations
of British gin were larger than in any
previous year, being 41,9O0 gallons in
wood and 232, 300 bottles. Holland
gin showed slight increase, the impor-
tations being 265,oOo gallons in wood
and 100000 bottles.
St. Croix rum was imported to a
larger extent than ever before, 10000
gallons having come in, while of Jamai-
ca rum there were imported $1,000 gal
Ions in wood and 12, 600 bottles. Scotch
ind Irish whisky show falling off of
imports. the totals being $1,000 gallons
In wood and 10000 bottles. Of cor
dials there were 63,5O0 cases imported.
British ale and beer came in to the
amount of 1880 packages in bulk and
SO, 700 bottled, and German ale and beer
$4,000 packages in bulk and 1900 bot
tied. OF ginger ale 26,7o packages ar
rived; of cherry juice 5000 casks. Of
mineral waters there were $500, 900
gallons imported and of Cette wines
125, 700 gallons. Madeira was the only
wine received from abroad that showed
decrease of importations, only 9,1O0
gallons having arrived.
But it is in the native California wines
that the most wonderful growth in con-
sumption in the east is shown. The re-
ceipts last year by water were far in ex-
cess of what they ever were before.
The demand for California wines, it is
thought will in a few years exceed the
supply. The receipts at New York last
year were 3,eOs,0oo gallons by water,
while the shipments by rail amounted
to 100000 gallons. The arrivals of
California brandy showed a correspond
ing increase, being 100000 gallons by
ship and 400, 900 gallons by rail. The re-
ceipts at New York of domestic whisky
last year were 81, 400 barrels and of al