The record-union., 1895-08-22
RED WINES The MORE PROFITABLE.
Warning Against the Overproduction
of White Grapes.
The Vintage of This Year Expected to
Equal or Exceed That of
Last Year.

Grape-growers and winemakers will
find much Of interest in the following
circular recently sent out by the Calitor-
MIA Winsmakers' Corporation concern
ing this years. vintage:
"The average California white wines
are not equal to the average red wines.
They are little sought for and extremely
difficult to dispose of unless they be OF
perfect quality. White wines comprised
only one-seventh of all the wines con-
veyed to this corporation, and yet there
is demand for only half of this amount.
which seems enough to till the present
requirements of the trade.
lat this writing there is every lndIca-
ton of a bOunlitul crop OF white grapes.
These conditions, together with the fact
that there will be considerable carry-over
stocks, lead us to the conclusion that the
price for white wine will next year be
less than that for red, and our members
are, therefore. warned against the over
production Of this commodity.
'Keports indicate that the 1895 vintage
should equal or slightly exceed the crop
of 1894, and the quality should be great
improvement over the last, as the grow
ing season has been unusually favorable.
Vineyards have been better cared for be-
cause OF the better prices secured by the
corporation, and it is hoped that the inn
proved quality of the 1893 wines will en-
able US to still further improve prices.
The present price Of wine is the only
reliable basis on which computation can
safely be made, and grape-growers. who
may be unwilling to accept this system OF
making prices, should cast their lot with
the winemaker and have their grapes
made up on shares. They may accept
such number OF gallons per ton as you
can allow; or SO much per ton for each
Ii. tn,tt,
when the next price is fixed, these figures
varying to suit local conditions. This
system of fixing prices is recommended
as likely to prove most satisfactory, it
being especially agreed that all wines
made "on shares" shall be transferred to
and sold through this corporation.
"The terms OF sale adopted i'll most dis
tricts are one-third cash, one-third in
three months, and the balance in six
months, with cash discounts in accord
ance with the rates of interest prevailing
in the locality. This system is fair and
recommended, inaSmuch as payments
for wine, though cash, are not received in
full by the winemaker till twelve months
have elapsed from the time OF wine
making.
"In response to q general demand for
just grading OF wine, system has been
proposed which, if adopted, will secure
to the winemaker a monetary reward for
each degree of merit which his wine pos
sesses, be 1t strength in alcohol, dry eX-
tract, color, bouquet, flavor or low acid.
This will insure satisfaction and form an
absolute classification, unique and COM
plete in itself, and one leaving no room
for dispute as to whether wine belongs
to the extra, the standard or the distilling
class.
This should remain prominently in
the minds OF every winemak ker through
out the vintage, as it affords an addl-
tional compensation for every improve
uent added to the wine and charges him
with every defecS. 1t establishes beyond
dispute the value Of shy bearing, hill and
high type grapes as compared with cold,
heavy producing, bottom lands, protect
ing alike the buyer and seller Of grapes
and the buyer and seller OF wines.
THUS far the corporation has met with
fiatterinR success in all its efforts. Many
valuable additions have recently been
made to our mem bershlp from the ranks
of dou biting outsiders, but there are still
a few others who should be approached
and solicited by mem bers until our con-
troll is absolute, when prices will become
satisfactorily profitable.
"For the benefit of those who have
feared the regulation which requires all
members to take 10 per cent Of the pro-
ceeds of wines sold through the corpora
ton in stock, we are pleased to state that
the present fund from this source. to-
gether with the improved standing of our
industry, have enabled the Board OF Di
rectorS to reduce the stock subscriptions
by one-halt. making 1t only per cent on
all wines made in 1895.
THE expense levied thus far has been
placed at one-eighth of l cent per gal
Ion, which amounts to about One-ihird
the usual brokerage charged by commits
sion merchants. thus showing practical
economical management.
For the Information Of those wishing
advances on '95 wines to provide pay
ments for grapes, Il resolution has been
passed which will enable any mem Der to
draw cents per gallon on the transfer
certificate as early as the same is made
and issued. This will provide funds TO
cover each successive portion of the vint-
age when grape growers demand pay
ment before its close. Further advances
will be provided as the quality of the
wine manitests itself and its value de-
velops."