NEW ZEALAND WINE INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11954, 1 May 1902, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND WINE INDUSTRY.

Yesterday Signor Bragato, the well known viticultural expert, was in town. He lias been engaged for some time past attending to the vitrification of the grapes grown at the Government vineyard at Wairangi. There Hie small beginning, begun years ago by Mr. W. ,]. Palmer, is likely to grow into an important undertaking before long-. There is only a very small portion of the vineyard as yet in a, profitable bearing condition, but every year additions are being made, the intention at present being to extend it to 20 acres, ami the future action of the Government in connection with it will probably depend upon the yearly results which will be obtained as the extended planting continues. Some of the grapes at present growing there are not those which .Signor Bragato would recommend for wine production, being more adapted for table purposes. The grape harvest this year was under the control of perhaps the most, skilful viticuHurisfc south of the equator, and it is very pleasant to hear the free and candid opinion which he expresses of the, future position which wine production will occupy in New Zealand, especially in the North Island. The fermenting of the wine this season has given Signor Bragato a high opinioii_of the climate for that rather delicate operation. He says there is no place in Victoria or New South Wales where the fermentation could be carried on with such safety and surety as at Wairangi. The fermentation was so complete and clean that it astonished Signor Bragato, and of the tour kinds of wines from distinct varieties of grapes which he has made, he states that the clearness and colour are far better than he bad expected would be the case. Ho also found that several chemical changes, which give the winemaker a good deal of trouble in Australia, as well as in Europe, were present at Wairaugi in only an infinitesimal quantity, from which he augurs the most, happy results in the future. One of the varieties of wine is made wholly from the Cnrbinsc Sauvignon grape, another from the Nhiraz, another from the Pinot Meunier, rnd the fourth class is a white wine. from several varieties of grape-, some of wllich are not recognised as ."wine grapes. While the crushing and pressing were Going on, he tested the density of "the must on many occasions, and found it of a strength considerably beyond his expectations, one sample _ giving as much as 14 degrees on Baume's hydrometer. One gathering of grapes, not wine grapes, lie anticipated would give such a poor and indifferent must that he obtained some sugar to add a little to the strength of the must, but" when the grapes were crushed, and the must tested, he found it registered 11 degrees, and therefore made no use of the sugar provided, and ho is of opinion that this will prove to be a light wine of very delicate flavour. Altogether Mr. Bragato is more than satisfied with the prospects which his first season in iNow Zealand promise for future years. He is also satisfied that a very- fine Quality of sparkling wine is likely to be produced. On Monday last His Excellency the Governor and party paid a visit to the Wairaugi establishment, and the Governor showed a keen and intelligent interest in the various operations in progress. With wine production as an established and profitable industry m the colony, it would provide an opportunity for settlement of a degree of closeness which no other form of cultural production could equal.