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BOOTHBY'S WORLD DRINKS
Many countries now produce wine;in fact, to name one that
did not would prove most difficult. But no other countries pro
duce the pleasant, spirited product, generally recognized as a
wine of bouquet and body, and fit to grace the modern table, as
do France, the United States, Italy, portions of Germany and a
few other sections throughout this planet.
True, to Spain we are indebted for most superior Sherries,
the town of Jerez, in that country, being famous for its output.
This wine, at its best, is a non-sweet liquid of most magnificent
body and bouquet. Aside from a beverage. Sherry is used by
most famous chefs in the preparation of fancy dishes. In most
instances. Sherry is a blended product, but it may be secured as
vintage. Sherry improves constantly with age, but only in
wood.
Another famous fortified wine is Port. This beverage was
originated in Portugal, in which country the finest still is pro
duced. This is a heavy,fruity wine, serviceable only as an after-
dinner drink, or in the afternoon, or evening, with cakes. Port,
like Sherry, is chiefly a blended product, but also may be se
cured in vintage. Port, unlike Sherry, is best around ten years
old, but instances are known of it having reached a very old age
without disintegration or becoming stringy.
To Italy we are indebted for the finest of Muscatel and to
Hungary for unexcelled Tokay. Among other well-known
heavy (fortified) wines are Malaga, Angelica, Canary and
Madeira.
To this point, all wines referred to have been of the heavy
type, which means that brandy, in various amounts, has been
added. They all will keep indefinitely with no care whatever.
The subject of light, or table, wines now confronts us.
France, above all European countries, and, in the Western
Hemisphere, certain portions of California have proven beyond
any doubt to have been most copiously endowed by Mother
Nature for the proper growth of vines and the production of fine
wines. It is in these sections, and in them alone, that the three