1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

100

the mixture is found of a quality too indifferent to be saleable, an additional proportion of the genuine Cape, immediately brings it up to the necessary standard : If it be desirable to advertise a portion as Cape Sherry, the introduction (after such por- tion is racked into another vessel) of a small quan- of Extract of Almond Cake^ produces the as deli- cately Pale Cape Sherry, or Madeira, at astonish- ingly low prices, &c. &c. The illustration thus afforded, of the value of Cape Wine, whether it be as an individual source of profit, as an admira- ble basis on which to adulterate other and more expensive Wines, or as offering a ready and pro- fitable mode, of getting rid of any thing, which an Advertising Dealer, may have on his premises, in the shape of Wine, &c. which is spoiled, or other- wise unsaleable, is so obvious, that I think it needs no further comment. Having thus opened the eyes of my Readers, to the adulterations of the major part of the Wines (exclusive of French,) for which such low prices are quoted by our placarders, &c. and sufficiently so, to enable any one to draw a pretty clear in- ference of the general nature of the practises of those gentlemen, I will just glance at the means adopted, to deceive the Public, with deteriorated Claret and fictitious Champagne, as a specimen, tity wished for result ; if, to represent a very paleWine, a little LamVs Blood, mixed in with the finings, at once enables the cheap seller to placard it,