1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

40

In the Tort Wine Conntry.

have qtdntas of their own,it is the prevailing practice for them or their agents to instal themselves during the season of the- vintage in the casa of some quinta the wrine of which they annually buy. Thence they sally forth on their daily tours of inspection,visiting vineyards and lagares for miles around,and satisfying themselves that the wines they have agreed to pur chase are being carefully and honestly made. The task is often a most laborious one, stiU it is always scrupulously perfonned. It was dusk when we crossed the Douro, which was lighted up from time to time by vivid flashes of lightning. After a short ride along an admirable road,we turned up by the edge of a nan-owravine and followed its zigzag bridle-path,now between now over jutting rocks,trusting entirely,as we were forced to do iu the gloom,to the sagacity of our horses. Arrived at the qiiinta,after alate dinner,accompanied,according to established rule,bythe choicest oftawny Port,we were sung to sleep on oui- hard straw mattresses by carolling vintagers, who had made themselves comfortable for the night,and the following morning were present at a levee of farmers, who, with umbrellas under their arms and sample-bottles in their saddle-bags, rode up to the quinta on horses, mules, and ponies, more or less eccen trically caparisoned. The casa here is a singularly modestlittle place, but, as if to compensate for its want of stateliness, it is. approached up a long and massive flight of stone steps that might serve as an approach to a temple. At the foot of these steps and under the large entrance-porch the farmers lounged until their turn came to submit their samples. They were for- the most part rigged out in their Sunday best—in the felt hats,, tweed suits, shooting and cutaway coats of the Jew slopseller, with nothing in the least degree national or characteristic about tliem. Whenever the commissario of the firm made his appear ance each new-comer raised his hat and advanced to greet him with a cordial shake of the hand. One by one they were ushered into what I presume was the drawing-room of the- casa—gaily decorated with red doors,broad blue mouldings,and pale sea-green ceiling, the effect of which naturally was to-