THIS YEAR’S VINTAGE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 664, 27 November 1902, Page 23

THIS YEAR’S VINTAGE.

The “ Wine .Trade Review " says that ‘“'this year's vintage is likely to be short • in nearly all the , wine-producing countries -/• of Europe, but it is possible, of course, that compensation for the deficiency will be found in the character of the yield. In France, the Minister of Agriculture estir mates that the vintage wil] be good in / fourteen departments, fairly good in forty passable, in twelve, and indifferent in eight. Our Bordeaux correspondent says that . : where the growers have treated their vines properly the prospect is pleasing, but where the bad weather of May and June . discouraged them from applying the necessary treatments the vines are suffering from black rot, oidium, and brown rot. There will be a greatly reduced yield ; in Wfaet, our correspondent does not appear to look for anything. more than an average v crop, as, to either quantity or quality. ■/ From Beaune we are informed that the production in the Cote d’Of will be short, and a somewhat similar report comes from Reims ; but in the latter case the appearances are irregular, and some of the proprietors are likely to obtain a good* yield In the Cognac district, where alundance is especially desirable, the vines are in d flourishing condition, but the production will be on a. restricted scale. In Portugal • .our Oporto correspondent says much damage has been done to the vines by the ‘ severe attacks of mildew resulting from the. variable .character of the weather during the summer, and prospect- are not at all bright tor the vintage. From the Houro. however, accounts are still favourable ; though the grapes are backward, they are free from disease, and should the present hot weather continue itiey will easily make up for lost time and be. ready for gathering by the end of next month, her some time the sherry district has been more or less ravaged by phylloxera, and our correspondent at -Jerez (Je la Frontera states that, this year there is likely to be a decreased yield of the cheaper varieties in Spain. followed by a rise in price. In Germanv the vinevards were damaged by spring feasts, and it.-®" xwrs st heavy crop, but there are that the '' quality will be satisfactory.”