1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

202

The Vineyards and Wines of Madeira.

can scarcely be aware: Madeira has fallen considerably in price, and tbe stocks of matured wines in tbe island are altogether unprecedented, so tbat eveiytbing is favourable to an increased consumption. The wine has certainly a special character. It boasts of a refined high flavour,combined,when duly matured, with remarkable softness, to which it moreover unites excep tional keeping powers. As an accompaniment to soup,or many of the lighter plats, its drier varieties are especially suitable; while the French have long since taught us that the richer qualities are essential to dessert. The present ntocks of Madeira on the island are estimated at fully 30,000 pipes; so that any deficiency in production arising from phylloxera, o'idium, or atmospheric influences is not likely to make itself felt for some years to come. Moreover, the phylloxera spreads but slowly in Madeira,it having confined its ravages during the five years preceding our visit to a compara tively small area; whereas a single department of France in the same space of time had its vineyards ravaged to the extent of the entire cultivated area of the island, Madeira-drinkers may rest assured that never was finer wine procurable than at the present moment,every variety of vintage or blended growth— dry,sweet, soft, or pungent—being held by the shippers, whose prices range from as low as <£26 to as high as £300 a pipe; an excellent medium wine being procurable at from £50 to £80, Madeira can,therefore, be retailed as low as 30s, a dozen, and. nil but very choice varieties atfrom 60s, to 70s,

'' v! , 'Vfl