1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

The Return Journey—Regoa—Baixo Cargo.

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loss by evaporation and ordinary ullage, as well as interest on money,before tbe wine is in a condition for sbipment. It is. impossible to obtain even an approximate idea respecting tbo annual production of the Paiz Vinhateiro during recent years, the "arrolamento," which formerly supplied some valuable- statistics respecting this and other matters, having been abolished on the pretext of economising the comparativelysmall sum which the collection of these returns used to cost. Port Yune is, however,taxed sufficiently heavily by the Government to admit of proper statistics being compiled concerning so important an article of commerce,and which is, moreover, a source of so much wealth to the district producing it. From Eegoa we proceeded to Villa Eeal, leaving Fontellas. and its quintas on our left hand,notable among which is the Quinta do ISTeto,famous for its bastardo and malvasia vines and yielding upwards of a hundred pipes of wine. As one winds up- the steep road the eye takes in an extensive panorama of vine- clad hUls displaying all the varied tints of autumn, streaked here and there with plantations of olives, dotted over with little villages and scattered casas, and fidnged at their summits with gloomy pine-woods. Crowning a lofty hill on our right hand is. Villa Maior with its celebrated quintas, and after awhile we pass through the village of Sao Miguel de Lobrigos, with the famous vineyards of Sao Comba occupying the steep slopes in- front. It is Sunday,and women are gossiping in groups on the doorsteps, while a few, rather more regardful of their personal appearance than is customary,occupy themselves in arranging^ their front and back hair—sadly in need of their attention—in public. Men whose garments are stained all over with new- made wine are lounging inside and around the village venda, in front of which a constable in imiform promenades up and down flourishing a long stick, while troops of well-laden donkeys, snatch a limited i-epose under the shade of some spreading- chestnut-tree. We pass through Cever,leaving the vineyards of Sarnadello. on our right, skirt Oonciero and the large Quinta do Jose Luis,