1895 Mixed Drinks by Herbert W Green

' 'r-

92

MIXKD DRINKS.

bouquet and the appearance of maturity—when these facts are considered we do not marvel at the vast capital once invested in this particular wine,or the high prices it brought. But everything reaches a crisis at some period in its progress. This occurred to Madeira wine in the fifties. The taste for it i-apidly diminished and the demand almost ceased. The cause may be traced to the appearance in 1852 of the Odium Tuclceri which devastated the vineyards of Madeira. Sugar cane was planted in the place of the vine and wine-making was at a stand-still. Holders refused to part with their wine except at exorbitant prices, and Madeira was placed beyond the reach of all but the wealthiest classes. Aftei' the disease was stamped out some years later the vineyards were again planted, but the trade has never fully recovered. ■'Before the scarcity, this wine brought three hundred dollars per pipe, and it advanced from that to fancy figures, but since the resumption of wine- makingit has brought less than one hundred dollars per pipe, and the trade is slowly reviving in consequence of other wines having taken its place. The Austrian-Hungarian Einpire produces a large quantity and a great variety of wines. Those of Austria are consumed principally at home, while those of Hungary, which are much more numerous, are