NEW ZEALAND WINES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2701, 4 December 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND WINES.

Shakespeare lias said that “good wine needs no hush.” hut the saying does not hold good in the colonies, because for some reason or other a prejudice exists as regards wines produced hero. It therefore follows that where wine, the product of New Zealand, is good, it requires a fairly large quantity of hush to commend it to the notice of consumers. Mr J. P. Oliver, of 'Colombo street, has recently entered upon the trade of vending New Zealand wines, the products of the vineyard of Mr Soler, Wanganui. Of the quality of these wines and their absolute purity there can be no doubt. Mr Oliver has recently submitted samples of them to the various medical gentlemen of Christchurch, who are unanimous in their high opinion of them for medicinal purposes. They possess a full flavor and bouquet, with great natural strength, and, being unfortified with aleoboi, cannot but be healthful. Indeed, they are, as claimed for them, the pure juice of the grape. A visit was recently paid to the vaults for the purpose of sampling, when six different kinds of wine wore produced. The first ot these was Manzanilla, a very nice flavored wine, which, with age, will be much relished by connoisseurs. IS ext to this came a red Burgundy .which is also a very flue wine, with splendid bouquet and flavor. The New Zealaud Constantia will challenge favorable comparison either with its South Australian or Victorian rival, being very clean on the palate. A light wine which has been called Vidouia was next tasted. This is a sherry with a full grape flavor. The Malaga for those who prefer a full fruity wine, is also excellent, and Mr Oliver has a white wine yet unnamed, hut which has all the characteristics of Sauterne. The only difference from the French wine is that it is somewhat sweeter. As a whole, the New Zealand wines are excellent in quality, and no doubt when more known will coma argclinto consumption.