A history and description of modern wines / by Cyrus Redding.

  • Redding, Cyrus, 1785-1870.
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A history and description of modern wines / by Cyrus Redding. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    strongest wines, but prevails almost entirely in the weaker kind, which are animated only with a very small portion of a vinous spirit; and therefore, from the nature of it, must certainly possess some qualities very different from those of the common water, which is that of the soil where the vine is planted; and which in that state is first received into the small absorbent vessels of its extended fibres; from whence it is collected, and more digested in the bul- bous parts of its root, and thence distributed through the trunk, into its various ramifications; where it must have been almost, if not entirely separated, from all the hetero- geneous and terrene parts which it contained, before it constitutes the aqueous parts of the grape; as it is very evident, from late experiments, that the whole size and weight of the greatest tree is owing to water alone. It is likewise remarkable, that the fibres and vessels of the vine are more dry and rigid than of any other tree, and that it chiefly delights in a sandy soil. This water, therefore, originally of the best kind, and passing through the finest strainers, must approach nearer to the unmixed, elemen- tary qualities of water, than has yet been found in any place, even when depurated with the greatest art. This seems confirmed, from the specific gravity of common water being found greater than that of any pure vinous liquor; and though this has been generally imputed to the prevailing lighter qualities of its spirituous parts, yet it seems to be more owing to those of the water.” A part of Sir Edward Barry’s volume is devoted to a notice on modern wines. His information upon this part of his subject is very imperfect. He concludes with an account of the “ wines used in England,” and of the attempts made to plant the vine here; and, among others.