THE WINE INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 249, 2 May 1895, Page 8

THE WINE INDUSTRY.

We referred to the question of NewZealand as a possible great vine-growing district in a previous issue, and pointed out ’that Mr Bragato, the expert from Victoria, who was sent to New Zealand to make a thorough examination of the country from a viticultural point, claimed that we possessed a country having every adaptation for the growth of vines. He spoke particularly of the Otago district, and although his examination of the North Island was more cursory, still he expressed himself as satisfied that New Zealand, as a colony, was not making the best of its resources ' when it neglected to pay attention to this vast industry, which means thousands of pounds of revenue to the Government besides, an export income that means a great feature in the finances of the colony at large. It is a subject that demands the earnest attention of capitalists and vignerons, and we hope that in the near future an active interest will be taken in the matter. It is probably not known to the general pubi c that within a comparatively short distance of Auckland there lives a gentleman who, thoroughly satisfied with the opportunities offered in New Zealand for vine growing and the manufacture of wine, has for many years interested himself in the subject, and at the present time is able to place on the market an article that, for fruitiuess and bouquet, bids fair to successfully rival the imported article. It is true that he has not gone into the manufacture of wine on as large a scale as some of our South Australian vignerons. but were the demand to increase and the wine to become more extensively known, arrangements could easily be made for a much greater supply We refer to Mr Philip Quesne, of Hamilton East, the proprietor of the Waikato Hotel. While travelling through the Waikato district a short time back we paid a visit to the Waikato Hotel, and at Mr Le Quesne’s invitation went through his vaults. Mr Le Quesne is originally from Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, and although virtually a New Zealander by adoption, he still retains a love for his native island, and hopes at some time in the near future to pay a visit, in company with his wife and daughter, to the Old Country, and stop at the island that has become so noted throughout the world for its pretty women, its balmy climate, and its ten-feet cabbages. This range certainly includes the sublime and the ridiculous, but the features metioned are at any rate wellknown ones; but revenon a nos moutons. Mr Le Quesne owns one very finely situated vineyard, adjacent to his hotel property, from which he derives a small but select quantity of grapes that yields him an exceptionally fine vintage. The larger portion of his wine, however, is the product of grapes purchased from other vineyard owners in the Waikato district. The appliances for making the wine are, it is true somewhat limited, but the quality of the article produced is not to be cavilled at. The grapes are first run through a crushing machine and from thence are taken, to the press which has the appearance of a gigantic cider press such as is used in America for extracting the spirit from apples. It is called a 50 ton press but

-it is calculated that it can bring a power of 500 tons to bear if necessary in crushing seconds, or the residue of the first vintage for making light claret and ordinary table wine. From the press the ■wine, flows into a large vat from which it is taken.and after being treated is placed in two large 500 gallon tanks where it is allowed to ferment, a certain period being .allowed for this process, after which it is • drawn off into casks and allowed to age. 'Mr Le Quesne distinctly states that he 1 never fortifies his wines but puts them on the market absolutely pure. The ■cellarage accommodation is fairly extensive and consists of four vaults which together have a storing capacity of about four hundred casks. The wine is, in some eases, kept until it is six or eight years old, but is generally sold at an age of four years. A few seasons back there was a bigger demand than could be met with : and Mr Le Quesne, in order to supply his numerous orders, was obliged -to explain to his customers that he would have to give them a blend of the three-year-old wine. The experiment proved a distinct success, and many of those who were supplied have particularly requested to be again supplied with the same quality. The two principal brands placed on the market are the “ Bon Accord ” and “Boh Mado,” the latter named after Mr Le Quesne’s birthplace in Jersey. He also produces a very fine Tokay the royal wine of Austria ’which possesses a body and flavour similar to the best Tokay produced in California. The only point in the wine produced in this district that an expert might perhaps if hypercritically exact, take exception to, is that it is a shade to sweht, greater age however, will in all probability give it the requisite dryness. Altogether Mr Le Quesne possesses a compact and economically’ marked plant and we are satisfied that his wine is more than worthy of the •encomiums that have been passed upon it by experts and of the liberal patronage it receives.