1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

55

the passage in Numbers, Strabo has declared that some of the grapes in the Holy Land measured two feet in length; and Reland has not hesitated to declare, as if unwilling to be outdone by Strabo, that some bunches are of ten pounds weight. This prefatory matter could make no pretence to completeness if it omitted an instruction for the service of wines, denoting the order in which they should be drank at the dinner table, which has already been given by an adept. Whether the matter is more admirable, or the style, it is difficult to determine. **I would recommend," says Francatelli, "all bonvivants desirous of testing and thoroughly enjoying a variety of delectable wines, without being incommoded by the diversity of those introduced for their learned degusta- tion, to bear in mind that they should be drunk in the following order ; viz., " When it happens that oysters preface the dinner, a glass of Chablis or Sauterne is their most proper accompaniment." After soup of any kind, genuine old Madeira, East India Sherry, or Amontillado are recommended as " welcome stomachics." But you are to avoid, as you value your health, drinking punch after Turtle soup, especially Roman punch. With fish, a large variety of wines, such as Pouilly, Meursault, Montrachet, Barsac, and generally all dry white wines, is allowed. With the entrees you are permitted to drink any variety of Bordeaux or Burgundy. Second course and dessert wines are given at too great a length to admit of reproduction. About these a ^'question of the highest importance" arises as to which