The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-03-06
TRAEElC In DRINK.
A Very Large Increase In Foreign Impor-
tatlons and Domestic Production.

A Very Large Increase In Foreign Impor-
tatlOns 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
400" Chateau Lafitte" is likely to give
place to the excellent but cheaper prod
ucts of California. Last year, however,
was apparently one of high revel, and
enough rare wine was consumed to float
one of the new American war vessels.
AS nine-tenths of the wine importa-
lions 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 4,S00,0 900
bottles of champagne imported into this
country last year from the vineyards of
France, being an increase of 900, 900 as
compared with the importatiOns of the
previous year The larger part of this
wine was consumed in this city, and
most of it was consumed within a ra-
dius 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
100000 gallons more than came in last
year 1t was also the biggest year for
port that the country has ever had,
showing big jump over the importa-
tions of 1889, the total receipts being
1877 gallons in wood and 279, 960 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 1,121.90O gal
Ions in wood and 1857, 1872 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
now giving up their choicest products
for American consumption, and Italian
wines have a large sale here which IS
growing steadily.
The importations of these wines last
year were 10000 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 g 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 $50, gallons in wood
and 625, 7s8 bottles. The importations
of British gin were larger than in any
previous year, being 41,9O0 gallons in
wood and 232, 800 bottles. Holland
gin showed a slight increase, the impor-
itations being 265,0OO gallons in wood
and 1870, 900 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 59,4OO gal
Ions in wood and 12, 900 bottles. Scotch
and Irish whisky show falling off OF
imports, the totals being $1,000 gallons
in wood and 1863, 900 bottles. OF cor
dials tn ere were $500 cases imported.
British ale and beer came in to the
amou1t5 of IL, 800 packages in bulk and
80, 700 bottled, and German ale and beer
$4,000 packages in bulk and 1000 bot
tied. Of ginger ale 26,7OO packages ar
rived; of cherry juice 5000 casks. OF
mineral waters there were 5000, 900
gallons imported and of Cette wines
125,7OO gallons. Madeira was the only
wine received from abroad that showed
decrease of importations, only S,lOO
gallons having arrived