Wine, the vine and the cellar / [Thomas George Shaw].

  • Shaw, Thomas George.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Wine, the vine and the cellar / [Thomas George Shaw]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    wines of every colour and quality, besides rum, brandy, gin, &c. Tasting should be in the open air, or in a well-venti- lated room; for it is impossible to distinguish a delicate bouquet in confined close places impregnated -with the flavour of strong wines and spirits. A similar remark applies to wine after dinner ; and this reminds me of an excellent arrangement in the club of Oporto. When dhiner is over, aU move to another room with a similar table, on which the dessert is laid. True judges attach as much importance to the bouquet as to the taste of wine ; but this part of its excellence is generally lost at a dinner-table; for then, even the most indifierent about what may be thought of him will scarcely venture to hold the glass to his nose, sniffing the flavour, and still less to roU the wine in his mouth, looking very solemn, as he may have observed is the custom in the ‘ wine market.’ Yet, without smelhng and tasting thus, much of the excellency of the finest wines is lost. If wine merchants could feel sure that those to whom they send wine were capable of appre- ciating it, and would do it justice, the trade wmuld be comparatively easy; but the reverse is gene- rally the case. With sherry it does not much matter whether it is sent to-day and drunk to- morrow ; neither does it greatly affect champagne, unless of fine old kinds; but every dealer must feel regret, when making his invoice for choice old port,