JOHN BULL'S VINEYARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3736, 22 September 1886, Page 3

JOHN BULL'S VINEYARD.

JC. Hubert do Castelln litis produced a gay and sparkling little book, which will bo read wi'h interest m England. ITo speaks with an oxperienco of five-nnd-twenty years as an Au-tnilian vineya-d proprietor, and enlarges on tho success which has attended the efforts of those who hare gone into tho industry duly equipped with energy, capital and knowledge. M. do Cnstolla beliorea that the wino of Aua- j tralia will orrntualiy succeed m pleasing even the sophisticated palato of John Bull, and points to the fnct that much hns already been Accomplished m that direction, and m the fuco of the most formidablo difficulties. The samples of Australian wines at the Exhibition havo nttracted great notice and are favourably spoken of by competent judges. Impovement is, of course, needed, but winemaking after all i 3 only m an experimental otnto m the three southern colonies. The chief obstacle to tho wine industry is the price of labour m Australia. Until that is reduced there is lilllo hope that A r ictoria and New South Wales can extend their operations so as to include tho English market. Better prices, m fact, can bo obtaineit at home than they can hope for m London. There is and always has been a strauga prcjudico against Australian wines m this country. This may m timo bo overcome It is at least certain that m the not remote future Australian winogrowers will produco wines challenging comparison, ngo for 1120, with all but tho Tory best growths of Franco or Gormnny. — Home A'eirs.