1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

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as Champagne, or in its present state, can never be drank, and the intention with which such Wines (which in France must have cost a mere trifle), have been sent to this country, cannot be mistaken. To illustrate, however, the object I have in view, with respect to the tricks practised with this Wine, (and of which I shall give an Example on a small Scale, for the sake of conciseness,) let it be supposed that I order in France, six dozens of the poorest Champagne I can procure, and just of suf- ficient quality to allow of its being admitted into this country, under the name it bears. This I should be able to purchase at the rate of about twelve francs, or 10*. per dozen, (not at all the lowest price,) the bottles, case, and freightage, might stand me in about 4*. 6d. or 5*. Qd. per dozen, and the landing charges and duty, 19s. per dozen more. On getting it home, I immediately draw the corks, and empty the bottles of their con- tents into my Cape vat, and supply their places with others, ready filled with the best Gooseberry Wine, the corks of which, are cemented and marked at the ends to resemble real Champagne, and which stands me (with every expence included) in about 21*. per dozen. Now, as I have the dock permit to protect it, and I do not attempt to substitute this fictitious Wine, except between the period on which my Excise Officer last surveyed me, and the time of his coming again, nor start the unsaleable Cham-