1869 Cooling Cups and Dainty drinks by William Terrington

30

Wines.

late years. The supply of this wine has fallen off; in 1856 there was none made, owing to the prevalence of the o'idium, or vine-scourge, which first made its appearance in this island, eventually destroying all the vines. It is supposed that it will take several years for the perfect restoration of the vineyards. The meaning of the terms “ East and West India Madeira,” signifies that the wine has made a voyage from the island to one or the other of these parts, by which process the effect of decom- posing the saccharine principle is accelerated, and the wine moreover becomes ripened, by passing through a warmer climate. The wine selected for this purpose, usually the sort called “ London Particular,” is shipped in butts, and remains either on board or is landed at one of the Indian ports for a time, and is then reshipped for the London market or whatever country it is destined for. That which has been to the East Indies is considered, by virtue of the greater heat of the climate, and the length of the voyage, to have a softer flavour than the West India Madeira. Malmsey Madeira is a very choice rich wine, and capable of being kept many years. It is pro- duced from a grape which will only flourish on a small spot in Madeira — the valley of the Carnal de