The Washington herald., 1911-09-20
THIRST FOR WINE
MUST Be CURBBD
Grape-groWing Districts of
Europe Face Famine.
YEARS CROP OUTLOOK IS BAD
"WhOp" of Champagne Corks Like
Iy to Mean "HiGh Living" In
FOrebodinEs LIghtened by the
Outlook in Argentina.

High livers and patrons OF bubble dis
pensaries may well drape themselves in
black crepe and HE to the simple life,
II the direfuI tidings recently dissemina-
ted throughout certain wine-producing
districts of Europe prove true.
For 1t is said Europe. France and Ger
many particularly, is facing a wine
famine, that insects and discouraging
climatic conditions have played hob with
thousands of valuable vineyards, and
frequenters of fashionable cafes are Won
dering whether in the future the "whop'
of champagne cork will mean the
same as it does now, in dollars and
cents.
German Winters Alarmed.
Most of the wine imported into this
country comes from Germany and
France. In Germany the conditions are
said TO be so unfavorable that winners
already have raised the price on STAN
card wines, figuring on not more than
two-thirds OF a normal crop. In France
the situation is less serious, as several
wine-growing districts have been fortu-
nate enough to escape the blights, in
seCts, and bad weather which has beset
certain parts. AS a result, the general
average for the country will be better
than in Germany.
The large wine growing district around
Nantes, containing five departments, in
which vine growing is practically the
only occupation of the peasantry. Is in
exceptionally bad shape. The estimates
for this years crop show that 1911 will
be the worst of three bad years. Less
than One-half OF what is considered a
good crop is expected for this year.
Large quantities of red wine is annually
shipped into the United States from
Nantes.
In Italy, from which some sweet,
still wine Is imported into this COun-
try, the conditions are as good as they
are bad in France and Germany. There
has been little or no troubles from pests
and climatic conditions. taken as "A
whole, have been excellent. A banner
crop is expected.
Eyes Upon Argentina.
In Germany the grape season opened
favorably. and the winners were hope
full. but just at the critical time the
weather changed. bringing rain and a
falling temperature. 1t IS now. estimated
that not to exceed half or two-thirds
OF a crop may be expected in most sec
tions of the winc-grOwing district.
1t is considered possible that the
threatened wine shortage in Europe may
turn the eyes of American importers to
Argentina. which has been advancing
with great strides as a wine-producing
country in recent years.
The cultivation of vines and the pro-
ductiOn of wine is now one of the most
prosperous and profitable industries in
Argentina. The output Of wine in 1909
amounted to $4,000 gallons, valued at
$25. CoO00 CAmerican currency. and in ad-
ditIon 43o,l06 gallons Of alcohol valued at
S2SO.750. were produced. The buildings.
machinery, and appliances connected with
the prepa ration of wine represent a capt.
tai outlay of 27.G@7.l20 apart from the
value of the vineyards themselves. which
has been estimated at So rs, 900. The area
under cultivation amounts to about IL. .O00
acres, as compared with $4,000 acres some
three years ago. The wine industry has
attained to Importance only in the two
provinces of Mendoza (Which produces
more than three-fifths of the total out
putt and San Juan
The rainfall of the province of Men
doza is small, but the water of four con-
siderable rivers is available for irriga-