The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-10

A book has been published, entitled
Drinks of the World" 1t is not as bulky
as Webster's dictionary, but it might well
approach that tome in ponderousness if il
grayely discourses on the beverages of all
time ana interralates anecdotes of bib
bers and the brew they prefer. A paper
comments on the fact that the tendency in
England is TO show taste for red wines
and to neglect white wines, although many
of the latter have a delicate flavor. The
demand for claret has gone on increasing
and il is notorious that much of IL Is so
poor that its vinous properties only exist in
name. 1t is, in fact, not genuine juice OF
the grape at all. but some eoncoction very
much diluted and without either good bou-
quet or body. What is termed body could
be spared were the honest grape juice in the
bottles. In France ii is no secret that a
large quantity of the win Ordinaire con-
sumed in the cities is either obtained from
chemicals or from lees, being, in fact. col
Ored water. Adulteration is common in
everything alcoholic in France. and. as the
French endeavor to keep up their trade in
wines, brandieS and lqueurS with other
countries, good deal of rank rubbish finds
its way abroad. Such is the ingenuity of
the manipulators of authorizations that they
supply liquids and drugs for the purpose,
and are even prepared TO give instructions
how TO initiate any wine or liqueur. This
nefarious traffic has been exposed, but
there is too much profit in it to suppose that
it does not flourish. 1t is notorious that
much of the Chartreuse sold in the low tap
rooms where the French woTkmen tipple
has never seen the famous monastery from
which II IS named.
Thus far it is not worth the trouble to
adulterate or even dilute the wines of Cali
fornia, and could general consumers in
Europe and the East only be convinced OF
the honesty Of our vticulturists in this mat
ter there would be a very much larger de-
mand for the products of our vineyards
Once our wines are shipped it is often
otherwise. 1t is certain that both in the
East aud in Europe there is large con-
sumption of California claret and white
wines, either blended with French or dis
honestly relabeled with a foreign name
When a fair quality of claret can be pun
chased ON the ranch at from 10 to 20 cents
per gallon the temptation is not strong 10
add 30 profits by in any way tampering
with the quality; but when our shipments
reach a foreign shore INSCRIPTIONS dealers
care nothing about Calilornia's standard in
wine production, and il they obtain q bet
ter sale under spurious descriptions or
manipulaii0ns they do not hesitate at de-
caption The trick Of putting a French
label Oh bottle of champagne is we'll un-
derstoOd, even on the Pacific Coast. Gour-
NETS who can distinguish wines with accu-
racy are not numerous, although there are
many who like 10 be considered cunnois-
seurS. Ii is for this reason that brands
which do not enjoy observation-disclosures
excellent they may be-remain long on
hand without inquiry. The brands OF old
countries have already reputation, and
that continues to sustain their sale long
alter the good qualities which brought them
into lame have vanished. On the other
hand, the wines of rev countries, however
pure and good in quality, are often fool
ishly treated with disdain by consumers
who lgnorantly babble about inferior for
eign samples as ii they were unsurpass-
able. Such is wisdom in wine bibbing.
Many a waiter makes a handsome Income
out of wines which are costly TO the inno-
cent customer but not to him.
The commercial traveller is well entitled
to the consideration of Congress- in obtain
ing the privilege of carrying greater
weight Of baggage than the ordinary rail-
road passenger is allowed. He is also to
obtain his fare at lower rates. In these re-
speets the interstate law is not to apply to
the drummer, who is thus recognized as a
most useful agent in the promotion Of bust
ness. both by those who directly employ
him and for the railroad companies them
selves Probably in every civilized country
the commercial traveller has some privi-
legeS of this description allowed him. In
England the hotels and inns charge him less
than other people, aud the railways give
him district tickets on very moderate terms.
The commercial traveller OF America has
many weary journey to make between
the various points where he .transacts bust
ness. lie has probably no special eOnsidera-
ton shown him 10y the hotels, but the rail-
roads know how much he can either in
crease their traffic or divert it, These are
times with wonderful facilities for COM
municaiion by rall, steamer. telegraph and
pustoftice, aud there is vast development
of trade. The commercial traveller who rep
resents a frst-elass exporting house under
takes with nonchalance a Journey round the
world. lie goes all over his own country
many times in the course Of his career, but
he also pays periodical visits to Europe, and
may be heard of in India. China, Japan,
Australia aud all the countries Of South
America. Perhaps with years Of wander
ing his curiosity becomes blunted and he
yearns for some stationary employment, and
when he does retire he has probably rubbed
off every trace of provineialism and has be-
come cosmopolitan, well informed about
the ways and wiles OF the world.