Summary
Large white paper wine bottle label, used at H.W.H Irvine's winery at Great Western, 1905-1918. The label depicts prize medals and Irvine crest.
Wine label is printed in black, blue, gold and red ink and reads: "Irvine's Brandy pure wine three star. Hans Irvine & Co. Dowgate Hill. London, E.C. and Victoria, Australia".
Irvine's Brandy was distilled from grapes not deemed suitable for other wines. Irvine marketed his Three Star Brandy with an emphasis on its purity, which was confirmed by the addition of the 'Government Analyst Report' on the label. Irvine's Three Star Brandy contained a wide variety of flavourings and herbs, including green cognac, ammonia, saffron, mace, vanilla, almond bitters, prune solution, grape syrup, black tea, orange, caramel and rum. The title of 'Three Star' may refer to the quality of the brandy or the amount of time it was kept in oak barrels for (3 years).
Brandy bottles were cylindrical and brown. The tops were covered in opal white foil with 2 gold and 1 red band.
"The Irvine Wine Collection was acquired by Museum Victoria in 1989. It represents the history of the Great Western Vineyard and the achievements of Hans William Henry Irvine, vigneron and politician, from 1888 until 1922. It comprises 130 items ranging from publications, marketing items, packaging materials, wine labels, award medals, ceramics, illuminated address, commemorative trowel, trophy plaques, wine makers tools, and silverware."
Physical Description
Large white wine label with black, blue, gold and red ink, blue moon and five stars u.l., gold medals showing obverse and reverse views, gold crests and blue scrolls with three gold stars on it.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Maker
Mr Hans W. Irvine - Great Western Vineyards & Champagne Cellars, Great Western, Victoria, Australia, 1905-1918
Irvine's London depot opened in 1905. -
Place Named
Dowgate Hill, London, England, Great Britain
Printed at bottom of label: "Hans Irvine & Co. Dowgate Hill, London, E.C. and Victoria, Australia" -
Inscriptions
Text: IRVINE'S/BRANDY/PURE WINE/LONDON INTERNATIONAL/1873/PARIS INTERNATIONAL/1900/THREE STAR/HANS IRVINE & Co. DOWGATE HILL, LONDON, E.C./& VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT ANALYST. Transcript of the detailed text: Report of the Government Analyst: I have examined the brandy distilled at IRVINE'S VINEYARD, and I have much pleasure in stating that the results which I have obtained on analysis are most satisfactory in alcoholic strength, extract, flavour, odour, &c. I find that it is equal to the best French Cognac: it is very pure and matured spirit. It is quite unnecessary to import brandy when such a fine grape spirit can be produced in Australia. It has evidently been distilled from wine of good quality. C.R. Blackett, Govt. Analyst, Victoria, Australia.
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Classification
Agriculture & rural life, Viticulture & wine making, Product labels
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
11.5 cm (Length), 8.6 cm (Width)
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References
The Vigneron, March 25, 1909. H.W.H. Irvine entry in Australian Dictionary of Biography.
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Keywords
Advertising, Great Western, Rural Victoria, Trades, Viticulture, Viticulture & Winemaking, Wine, Wineries