On this day: August 31, 1915
As a result of representations to the French Government on the subject of the prohibition of the exportation of wines from France, the Finance Minister has signed an arrêt, published in the Journal Officiel, allowing wines to be exported to Great Britain, the British colonies, the allied countries, and America.
By a decree of the President, published on the 23rd, the further exportation of wine was absolutely prohibited. The announcement was received with consternation. At best, this meant restriction of trade and vexatious delay at a time when the French wine industry, apart from the havoc of war, is suffering from the loss of its chief customer, Germany. The good offices of the Embassy were invoked, and to good purpose.
It is not easy to understand why the excepting of England, her colonies, and other Powers was not made clear in the announcement. One suggested explanation is that the authorities wished for time to take stock of the quantity of lower-priced wines available for the Army. The average consumption of wine in France is estimated by Messrs W and A Gilbey at 1,000,000,000 gallons per annum. England consumes only 10,000,000 gallons per annum. The French soldier, temperate as he is, is now probably consuming 50 per cent more wine than when following his ordinary occupation.
The manufacture of alcohol has during the last few days been declared a State monopoly, and its use, except for medical purposes, is absolutely forbidden to the soldier, and this will account for the increased consumption of very light wine. The Government is face to face with a somewhat difficult problem, as the wine harvest in the Gironde, Herault, Aude and other great wine-producing provinces in the South is foredoomed, owing to mildew and other scourges, and importation from other countries would weaken the national finances.
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It is probable that most of the cheap and light wine in the country will be secured for the use of the Army, but that no restriction will be placed on the exportation of the better-class red wines, of which there are enormous stocks in hand, owing to the disappearance from the market of Germany and Belgium. The English demand for such wines has been diminishing for years, and is now less than ever.