think the principle that wine names are geographic and not
generic can be said to be one generally recognized or acknow- ledged. This apparently technical matter is one which affects not only the consumer, who likes to know what he is getting, but a number of old-established English busi- nesses who for generations have expended both money and energy in building up the goodwill associated with certain classic geographical names of wines. One wonders if Mr.
Runciman was not overlooking these Home interests in his desire to please the Dominion wine producers, many of whom have adopted these historic names.
Moreover, custom is not on Mr. Runciman's side. From the tithe when wines were first exported from Europe to the United Kingdom they have, with the exception of " Claret " and " Hoek," always been identified by the geographical names of the districts from which they came. His Majesty's Government, in its Treaty with Portugal, has already recognized that " Port " is entitled to protection as a wine coming solely from the Douro district of Portugal.
Even in Australia there is not wanting authoritative opinion for a recognition of the principle that wine names are geographic. Mr. W. Percy Wilkinson, Director of the Commonwealth Laboratory, in a paper read before the wine judges and members of the Council of the Royal Agri- cultural Society of Victoria, Australia, on September 12th, 1919, said :
" Many Australian wine growers and wine merchants in these days—and I think quite happily—begin to clearly perceive that the claims of France, Portugal, and other wine-producing countries to the exclusive use of their regional appellations for wines are - equitable and beyond controversy."
Mr. Wilkinson also referred to the " appropriation " of European- wine names by the Australian wine producers and said
" This ludicrous practice seriously handicaps the just recognition of their many good qualities which the Australian wines merit."
It is a pity that the Board of Trade could not see fit to use its influence at the International Conference which has been considering this matter in London to secure a definite international understanding on a matter upon which wine authorities all over the world appear almost unanimously
Somersted, Reigate, Surrey.
[But is even Hock an exception ? It properly denotes wins
from Hochheim on the Main.—En. The Spectator.]
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