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mixed drinks.

117

Wine is subject to several diseases: Young wine

becomes sour under special conditions of tbe weatber.

Tbe color becomes darker and tbe taste is affected and

tbe wine becomes turbid and acid. This is caused by

decomposition of tartar. Eopiness of wine is caused

by the formation of vegetable mucus from the sugar,

and is known as mucous fermentation. The wines liable

to this change are deficient in tannic acid. The bitter

ness of wine,to which Burgundy wines are especially

exposed,seems due to second fermentation, as a large

amount of carbonic acid is evolved. It has been

ascribed to the formation of citric ether, which is very

bitter. This disease is caused by the sediment and

often ceases when the wine is drawn off into other

casks. The acidifying of wine depends upon conver

sion of the alcohol into acetic acid and may be stopped

at its commencement by adding alkaline carbonates,

which,however, destroy the color and affect the taste

of the wine. The mouldiness of wine is a disease in

which mould plants are produced on the surface of the

wine. The admission of air encourages the disease.

We could write much more about wines but have

probably said all that is necessary.

We publish the following wine list and retai^

prices, which may furnish suggestive matter and mem

oranda for those interested.