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of
the
grapes,
as
every
bunch
lias
to
be
carefully
examined,
and
unless
it
is
found
perfect
in
every
respect,
it
is
not
used
for
the
finer
qualities.
It
lias
been
computed
that
the
average
expense
of
cultiva-
tion
is
front
250
to
300
francs
per
hnndred
(twenty-four
dozen),
it
cannot,
therefore,
be
wondered
at
that
gennine
Sauternes
cannot
be
obtained
as
cheaply
as
some
of
the
Ked
Wines
of
France.
In
classifying
Sauternes,
it
is
undoubtedly
a
fact
that
the
wines
of
the
Château
d'Yquem,
Château
La
Tour
Blanche,
Châ-
teau
Vigneau,
Château
Kabaud,
and
Château
Suduiraut
take
the
foremost
rank,
and,
next
to
thèse
in
the
order
given,
corne
the
Haut
Sauternes,
Sauternes,
Barsac
and
Graves.
Ail
Sauternes
are
sweet
or
sweetish
in
character,
but
the
excess
of
sweetness
disappears
considerably
with
a
few
years
of
"bottle
âge."
As
"table
wines,'-
Sauternes
are
eminently
suitable.
They
are
délicate
in flavor
and
stimulate
the
appetite.
In
alcoholic
strength
they
are
far
below
Sherries,
but
they
are,
nevertheless,
exhilarating
and
sustaining.
They
are
especially
suitable
to
be
served
with
oysters
and
fish.
In
order
to
préserve
their
full
aroma,
Sauternes,
and
es-
pecially
the
finer
qualifies,
should
not
be
"iced;"
a
médium
température
will
be
sufficient
to
préserve
ail
their
character-
istics.
As
"dessert
wines"
they
are
simply
perfect.
A
glass
or
two
of
high-class
"vintage"
Sau
terne
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
médicinal
stanclpoint,
the
white
wines
of
France
rank
foremost.
For
dyspepsia
they
are
invaluable.
White
wines
contain
less
tannin,
tartrates
and
iron
than
red
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,
Château
La
Tour
Blanche,
Yquem,
Kabaud,
Vigneau,
etc.,
possessing
a
greater
alcoholic
strength,
will
be
found
most
bénéficiai
in
cases
of
exhaustion,
nervous
prostration,
hemorrhage,
and
in
ail
cases
of
mental
.or
bodily
fatigue.
As
dessert
wines
they
are
not
only
delicious,
but
they
greatly
aid
the
digestion
and
impart
a
cheerful
glow
to
the
System.
For
further
médical
évidence
regarding
Sauternes,
I
quote
Dr.
Mauriac,
of
Bordeaux.
He
says
in
one
of his
works
: