EXHIBIT 23.1
                                  ------------


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on
Form  S-8  (Nos.  33-26694  and  33-56557)  and  Form S-3  (Nos.  333-40571  and
333-67037) of  Canandaigua  Brands,  Inc. of our report dated  November 30, 1998
with respect to the  consolidated  balance  sheets of Matthew  Clark plc and its
subsidiaries as of April 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related  consolidated profit
and  loss  accounts  and  cash  flow  statements  for  each of the  years in the
three-year  period ended April 30, 1998, which report appears in the Form 8-K of
Canandaigua Brands, Inc. dated December 16, 1998.


/s/ KPMG Audit Plc
Chartered Accountants
Registered Auditor
London, England
December 16, 1998