New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-09
CALIFORNIA FINEYARD INTERESTS.
FORCED SALE OF A LARGE QUANTITY OF WINE
AT EIGHT CENTS GALLON.


San Francisco March s--A widespread interest
IN the present condition OF the wine industry In
California has been developed through the an
nouncement by the Associated Press OF the sale
OF a large quantity OF wine at cents a gallon.
In an interview with Charles A. Wetmore, one OF
the most prominent OF the California wine grow
ers whose reputation expert wine man Is
well known and whose products have received the
highest awards both in this country and in Europe.
he said;
The sale Of 10000 gallons OF wine az from TO
cents per gallon 10 the California Wine Associa-
tion. n syndicate Of Wholesale dealers. was only n
forced sale OF property sold under execution to
bank and does not indicate that the market Is per
manently broken. This sale has been made use or
by brokers for wholesale wine spectators 10 break
the prices OF large lots OF wines Of the last vintage
Of which by reason OF financial distresses OF
producers have 10 be sold before they are nj FOR
consumption. union OF the country wne-makerS
has been formed. to prevent any lons-contihued
DEPRESSION and II Is safe 20 say that not more
than 10 per cent OF the last vintage will he suffered
to go of a sacrifice OF cost Of production Nearly
all the choice wines OF the State are in country
cellars. and will not be sold until remuneratiVe
prices arc restored. Efforts are now being made TO
bring distant consumers and dealers into direct
communication with country producers. who are
also distributors and with city merchants who
deal in straight goods.
The old style OF mixing the products OF all wine
districts in San Francisco cellars and cheaperlng
compounds by utilizing in such mixtures material
which is only nj for ds;illation will continue only
long the trade encourages runous competi-
ton in prices, and consumers fail to demand better
grades, which can always be- supplied al lAr Dts
Quotations OF prices for large cellars OF new Wlnes
misleading to the public II 1t Is not understood
an a n AND Sefore they are oeed for dsrb
ton considerable additional expenses OF removal
storage. treatment and cooperage must he incurred.
Such prices are available only 10 few spectators
who have large storage facilities, capital ana eN-
persive distributing agencies. .
Fine wines never quoted In large bulk but
are subject TO private negotiations according 10
quality. and condition. The wine districts vary
In quality and style of products, as they do IN
every product. Distinctive qualities Will not be
generally known until the trade Is supplied directly
present confusion in handling the new wines which
can now be bought is the present loading OF a ship
with wines from Hamburg. The agent who came
here for this purpose Is paying for new WIGS
while city spectators are refusing 10 take them at
cents.
or unnanaeeable supply is proved 10 the contrary
by a months hard work Of careful Investigation.
There IS an actual deficit In wine supply. The an
nual consumption Of California wines is now about
gallons Of wine year old in the hands of the
wholesale dealers. and not more than 100000 gal
Ions in the hands OF the producers The last
vintage large one, but when ready for
kei ii will be reduced by distillation OF poor ma
ieria and evaporat ton so that IL Will scarcely SUD
ply years demand. and the next vintage will.
demand. II is reported that some wholesale deal
erS are even already shipping East the new wines.
which are unwholesome rather than purchase the
older wines at fair prices II is in the power OF
consumers 10 prevent this kind of warfare for
cheap prices by dema nd!ng better qualities and
showing their willingness to pay fair prices"