1892 Drinks of the world

r^RINKS.

76

the wine of Chateau d' Yquem, of which Vizltelly ^ thus writes : "Among the white wines of the Gironde which obtained the higher class reward, two require to be especially mentioned. One, the renowned Chateau d'Yquem of the Marquis de Lur Saluces, the most luscious and delicately aromatic of wines, which, for exquisite bouquet, and due, according to the chemists, to the presence of Mannite, unique, and which, at Vienna, naturally met with the recognition of a medal for progress. " Mannite, the distinguished French chemist Berthe- lot informs us, has the peculiar quality of not becom- ing transformed into alcohol and carbonic acid during the process of fermentation. For a tonneau of this splendid wine twelve years old, bought direct from the Chateau, the Grand Duke Constantine paid, some few years since, 20,000 francs, or ^800. The other wine calling for notice was La Tour Blance, one of those magnificent, liqueur-like Sauternes, ranking immediately after Chateau d'Yquem, and to some fine samples of which, of the vintages of 1864 and 1865, a medal for merit was awarded. '' The characteristic qualities of Chateau d'Yquem, which certain soi-disant connoisseurs pretend to pooh- pooh, as a mere ordinary vin de liqueur, are due, in no degree, to simple accident. On the contrary, the rich, delicious flavour, is regarded in France as its resplendent colour, resembling liquid gold, its

^ The Wines of the World^ Characterized ajid Classed^ 1875, PP* 16, 17.