Vin Ordinaire

The population of France is stationary, and thus consumes no more of the staple "vin ordinaire" in one year than another. When production of French "red ink" is unusually large, the surplus must be exported or make trouble for the local wine makers. Formerly the solution used to consist in exporting largely to the U. S., although our imports of French beverages were in large measure fine wines rather than the lowly and humble "vin ordinaire." But Prohibition has now sealed this outlet, unhappily for the French.

In 1924, the winegrowers of France had a fine grape crop, and produced more "vin ordinaire" than was needed. Prices sagged and unhappiness resulted. But nature is apparently inexorable, and has this year again smiled on the French grape grower. The result is bound to be another fine grape crop, more unneeded "vin ordinaire," still lower prices, and considerable bewilderment and worry in the French wine industry. U. S. tourists in France may help somewhat, yet this factor is unimportant. The 11% or less "vin ordinaire" is now a drug on the market; it now sells for 50 francs ($2.50) a hectolitre (about 105 quarts), against 66 last fall, 70 in 1923 and 100 in 1920.

Since consumption cannot be increased, production must be curtailed. This may be done voluntarily under the economic spur of large stocks and low prices, or involuntarily in case Nature blights the 1926 grape crop. But Nature, fickle jade, prefers to cherish grapes that are not needed, and bedevil cotton and wheat that are badly wanted, both here and abroad.