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DRINKS
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peculiar flavor and develops its volatile etliers,
the aroma.
The first racking of the wine takes place in
June. The wines are now stored in large casks
in the bodegas, where in the course of one or
two years remarkable changes are brought about,
some of the wines developing into Amontillado,
others into Oloroso, Basto or Fino, although be
ing made from the same grapes and all receiving
the same treatment.
Amontillados are extremely dry, and of won
derful flavor.
Oloroso has a pronounced nutty flavor, darker
in color, and heavier body.
Basto is the cheapest grade, and not generally
shipped.
In very good years a few casks of wine are
kept for the purpose of blending with wines
produced in inferior seasons, this imparting to
them flavor and body.
Wines kept in storage for this purpose are
known as "Soleras," which themselves are re
plenished by wines from perfect vintages only.
Sherries, possessing a large amount of alcohol,
greatly improve with age, and a properly ma
tured old Sherry is imquestionably the peer of
any wine. Genuine Sherry, on account of its
freedom from acidity and sugar, has great die
tetic value.
By those who suffer from indigestion, exhaus
tion, sleeplessness, and general debility. Sherry^
properly used, will be found a wonderful tonic.
Madeira
The island of Madeira is the largest of a
group belonging to Portugal about five hundred
miles southwest of Lisbon and is known for itg
excellent quality of wine.
The grapes mostly cultivated in the produc
tion of Madeira are the Malvasia, Vidogua,
Sercial, Muscatel, Alicante, Negiamal, and Ba-
tardo.