WINE.
“Le Vin est l’un des produits de la nature les plus difficiles à juger et à bien choisir: et les plus habiles gourmets sont souvent mis en défaut.”—Manuel du Sommelier, Paris, 1817, p. 1.
Wine, especially Port, is generally twice spoiled—before it is considered fit to be drank!!!
The Wine-Maker spoils it first, by over-loading it with Brandy to make it keep.—
The Wine-Drinker keeps it till time has not only dissipated the superabundant spirit,—but even until the acetous fermentation begins to be evident,—this, it is the taste now to call “Flavour,”—and Wine is not liked, till it has lost so much of its exhilarating power, that you may drink a Pint of it, before receiving that degree of excitement,—which the Wine-drinker requires to make him Happy. We mean a legal Pint containing 16 ounces.
The measure of a Bottle of Wine ought to be as definitive, as that of a Pot Of Porter:—is it not astonishing that the Legislature have not ordered a Standard and Stamped Quart, for the Wine-merchant—as they have a Pot for the Publican?
This would be equally as desirable to the respectable Wine-merchant,—as to the Public.