1914 Beverages de luxe

Much time and money is thus expended on the vintapinp of the grapes, as every bunch has to be carefully examined, and unless it is found perfect in every respect, it is not used for the finer qualities. It has been cumi)uted that the average expense ol' cultiva- tion is from 250 to ,'500 francs per hundred (twenty-four dozen), it cannot, therefore, be wondered at that genuine Sauternes cannot be obtained as cheaply as some of the Red Wines of France. In classifying Sauternes, it is undoubtedly a fact that the wines of the Chateau d'Yquem, Chateau La Tour Blanche, Cha- teau Vigneau, Chateau Rabaud, and Chateau Suduiraut take the foremost rank, and, next to these in the order given, come the Haut Sauternes, Sauternes, Barsac and Craves. All Sauternes are sweet or sweetish in character, but tlu' excess of sweetness disappears considerably with a few years of "bottle age." As "table wines," Sauternes are eminently suitable. They are delicate in flavor and stimulate the appetite. In alcoholic strength they are far below Sherries, but they are, neverthele.ss, exhilarating and sustaining. They are especially suitable to be served with oysters and fish. In order to ])reserve their full aroma, Sauternes, and es- pecially the finer ciualities, should not be "iced;" a medium temperature will be sufficient to preserve all their character- istics. As "dessert wines" they are simply perfect. A glass or two of high-class "vintage" Sauterne at the end of a meal will not only aid digestion, but will warm the whole .system and diffuse a feeling of lightness and of comfort. From a medicinal standpoint, the white wines of France rank foremost. For dyspepsia they are invaluable. White wines contain less tannin, tartrates and iron than I'ed wines, but more acetic ether. Whilst containing the .same quantity of alcohol as the red wines, their action is more "heady" and more exhilarating. For obesity, especially, and affections of the liver, they are most emphatically efficacious. The sweeter Sauternes, Chateau La Tour Blanche, Yquem, Rabaud, Vigneau, etc., possessing a greater alcoholic strength, will be found most beneficial in cases of exhaustion, nervous prostration, hemorrhage, and in all cases of mental or bodily fatigue. As des.sert wines they are not only delicious, but they greatly aid the digestion and impart a cheerful glow to the system.