The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-17
CHEER UP; RHEIMS
CHAMPAGNE Is SAFE
German Shells Damaged Wine
Houses. but Failed to
Reach the Watts.
GOOD SUPPLY. SAY MI INNS

Champagne users need have no fear that
the supply of the bubbling wine will lie
cut off in the near future as a rosul, II
the German bombardmcnt of Rheims
Georges Robinct of the firm OF q. IT,
Mumm & Co., IN a letter to the company's
American representatives. bids champagne
drinkers he Of good cheer Several OF
the wine houses in Rheims have been
damaged by shells. hundreds of workm"n
are at the front and extraordinary dini.
culties have attended the work of gather
ing grapes. but there is still supply
OF champagne on hand.
Moreover VI Roblnet believes Their" viii
be very little demand for champagne from
the belligerent countries for some time
after the close OF the war. a condition
which would favor American patrons.
The quantity of l9lis," writes VI.
Roblnet lis small. but Of course sufficient,
as there has been practically no business
done since four months. and after peace
Is declared there will be very little cham
payne used in many countries In few
words | may say that the situation in the
champagne district, az far as wine is con-
cerned. both as to quantity and quality.
j. a very good and sound one
Elsewhere ia his letter VI. Hobuct says
While. as YOU know. tn. firm Of -. II
Mumm 60. is q distinctly French firm,
properly constituted under French law.
having It's premises IN France and none
in Germany, our position nevertheless j.
a somewhat difficult one. as all firms IN
France who have German capital invested
or German or Austrian partners are sup
posed to he sequestrated BY the French
Government This measure is simply
taken 10 prevent any moneys belonging
TO such firms from being sent 20 Germany
or Austria-Hungary while the war lasts.
No restriction has thus far been imposed
upon our firm as to carrying on the other
part OF our business, such as The buying
Of grapes OF the present vintage. sending
out shipments of wine when railway fac.i-
ties are restored. 81.
Since the end OF July no firm IN
Rheims has been able to ship a single
bottle 81 wine, and ii ~ imposs!nl" TO tcli
when We will be able to resume shipments.
AS regards this years vintage there were
u great many difficulties in gathering the
grapes and pressing them. the grapes were
IN perfect condition. and as the weather
was very warm and very dry from the
beginning OF August until after the Vint-
age was gathered. there is no doubt but
that the 1914 Will hc "A very good vintage.
As matter of fact We have been able 20
taste new wine which has already finished
ferment'ng. and which came from our own
vineyards IN Ay tramant. Av!ze and
We found II of exceedingly good quality.
| think they will he OF the same style as
the lyOIs though perhaps little better.
and little more body
OF the damage suffered during the bonn
bardment NJ Rheims. VI. iiohinet writes:
NO wine was damaged as n the begin
ming of the war We took the prectu,ion to-
put all our wines down below in the caves.
The other champaign. houses have suffered
about the same As We haV" 50 far-lieid-
sleek Nonopoo ClcQuot ltuederer.
Charles He.dsicck, Runtr'. krug. l.anson,
hu. not any more than We have. pummcry.
OF course. have received many more shells
than tn. others because their establish
ment is on a hill and for the past two
months there is q French battery q heavy
gnns just IN front ~ their place, hut
neither they nor others have had any wine
damaged or spoiled