| Abstrakt: |
In the 18th century, Dutch wine trade was characterized by a fascinating contradiction. Whereas wine imports decreased, the distribution of wine remained particularly prosperous. This essay argues that the importance of the parallel market for wine can explain this phenomenon. Large quantities of wine were smuggled into the United Provinces and evasion of excise duty was widespread. The produce was modified, mixed and diluted. Moreover, wine merchants produced substitutes on a large scale. These activities all contributed to create a shadow economy that allowed people who could not afford to drink imported natural wines in this period of economic stagnation, to participate in new consumption patterns, where French fashion, luxury, novelty and emulation played a key role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
