The herald., 1895-09-06
A STATE WINE INSPECTOR

The Italian govern nent has instituted
q scheme in New York in the interest OF
its wine growers that is we'll worthy of
attention IN California. A laboratory has
been established wherein analyses of
italian wines exported to New York are
to be tested and guaranteed by an Italian
expert specially employed by his govern
ment. The object is to inspire con fidence
in the purity of Italian wines offered in
the American markets. All casks, cases
and bottles that pass the official inspector
are to be stamped and labeled according
ly. Importers are earnestly supporting
the plan and Italian producers are hope
full that it will check the growing demand
for California wines.
The motive of the Italians in this in
stance is easily discernible. They hope
by offering the American public wine,
the purity OF which is guaranteed by gov
eminent stamp, to establish confidence
In the mind of the wine drinker in
Italian wines which he may not have ior
California wines. The Italian wine i'm
porters are acting shrewedly in this. 1t
Is notable fact, and one which all for
eign merchants are cognizant of, that
when it comes to q matter of eating and
drinking or articles of clothing or per-
sonal auornment the American people
cannot be put DIVA as a patriotic peo-
pie. All things being equal che American
will, in many instances, choose the for
eign article simply because 1t is English
or French or something other than
American. Not all Americans are built
that way, but too many are, and the Ital-
ians by overcoming the prejudice which
may exist against adulteratei wines hope
to win the trade of ttose who prefer a
thing simply because it is of foreign
make, as we'll as those who want pure
wines simply because they are pure.
Now if such move as above cited is
good one for the italian why should not
similar guarantee prove beneficial to the
Californian? 1t would be an easy matter
to have state inspector of wines with
deputies located at the wine making CEN
ters of the state. The duties OF the in
spector and his deputies would be, when
the 1wine maker so desired to inspec t
the wines, see that they ara then proper
iy sealed and to then place on the pack
age, be it bottle or cask. state stamp
guaranteeing the purity of the contents.
Under such conditions the wine houses
would have no excuse for selling Italian
wines because thew are guaran teed as to
purity, helither would the wine drinker
be able to offer as an excuse that he pre-
fers q wine the purity OF which is guar
anteed.
What better proof of purity can man
ask for than tnat wine should bear the
guarantee of the state of California?
When tbs Italian i'm potters are able to
sell wines guaranteed by their govern
ment California wines will be at disad-
vantage, but this can easily be over
coms by following The Herald's sugges-
ton.
Bredstreet's, in speaking of the move
on the part of the Italian wine import
ers, says.
At the suggestion of the Italian cham
ber OF comm the Italian government
has established at New York laboratory
for the analysis of Italian wines arriving
in the United States. The laboratory Is
to be known as the oenotechnic station
of the Italian government. The object
in view is to inspire greater confidence
in Italian wines by giving to the con-
sumers in the United States an official
guarantee of their purity and genuine
ness. 1t IS entirely at the option of the
importers 10 submit their wines to analv-
sis, but the greater number of them have
already signified their desire to do so.
The laboratory will issue certificates oil
analysis to importers, and the casks aud
bottles containing wine which has been
q ertifed pure will be stamped and
labeled according to regulations impo ed
by the Italian government. Importers
who ask from the government Office the
analysis OF their wines must at the same
time make declaration that they agree
to accept the conditions established by
these regulstions.