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WINE.
25
in wines is intimately united with the other
ingredients of the liquor, and constitutes the
intoxicating principle; hence their strength
depends on the quantity of alcohol which they
contain. This has been the subject of careful
investigation by a great number of chemists;
but as the results must vary with different
seasons, they can only be received as merely
approximative.
An abstract of the results of three of the
most distinguished chemists-M. Jules Fonte–
nelle, Dr. Christison, and M. Brandt-is given
in the following table, the proof-spirit taken at
the standard of 0·825 :-
Table of the Proportion,
by
measure, of Alcohol
contained in
100
parts
of dijferent Wines, sp.
gr.
of Alcohol
0·825.
Lissa (mean average) .......................................25·41
Raisin wine (mean) ............................................25·12
l'vlarsala, Sicily Madeira (mean) ..............25·09
Port (strongest) .....................................................25·83
3