SCENES AT THE LA TRAPPE VINEYARDS -- WORKERS HARVESTING THE GRAPES, TAKING THEM BY BASKET AND TRAILER TO THE WINERY, WHERE THE GRAPES ARE CRUSHED FOR FERMENTING.




Initials JT/VS/BHH/BB



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Background: ALGERIA HAS JUST BEGUN BRINGING IN THIS YEAR'S WINE HARVEST -- ITS SECOND BIGGEST EXPORT-EARNER. FROM DAWN TO DUSK, WORKERS TOIL IN THE SUMMER HEAT, STRIPPING THE VINES OF THEIR RIPENED GRAPES.

LA TRAPPE, SPRAWLING OVER 290 ACRES (118 HECTARES), IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND OLDEST VINEYARDS IN ALGERIA. ONCE OWNED BY A WEALTHY FRENCH FAMILY, IT WAS NATIONALISED AFTER INDEPENDENCE AND IS NOW OWNED BY ITS 600 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

THE HARVESTED GRAPES ARE PLACED IN A BASKET CARRIED ON THE BACK OF A WORKER, WHO GOES FROM ONE PICKER TO ANOTHER. WHEN THE BASKET IS FULL -- IT CAN HOLD 120 LBS (55 KGS) -- IT IS TIPPED INTO A TRAILER FOR TRANSPORTING TO THE WINE SHED.

BUT FOR MOST OF THE WORKERS, THEY CANNOT TASTE THE FINISHED PRODUCT. THEIR RELIGION, ISLAM, FORBIDS ALCOHOL. MUCH OF THE WINE IS EXPORTED TO FRANCE. MANY ALGERIAN VINEYARDS HAVE STAGNATED SINCE NATIONALISATION, BUT LA TRAPPE. WITH PART-TIME HELP FROM EXPERTS, EXPECTS THIS YEAR TO ALMOST DOUBLE THE PRODUCTION OF ITS FORMER OWNERS.

(ALGERIA'S BIGGEST EARNER OF FOREIGN CURRENCY IS, OF COURSE, OIL. BUT UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED IN 1951, THE ECONOMY RELIED MAINLY ON WINE.)