Camo knit wine koozie for icy days

For those cold winter days when you are afraid your bottle of wine will cool down too much, I recommend the wine koozie.  This camo knit, low version, is hand-knit by my niece.

 

“If I was to drink a glass ‘o XX. I shouldn’t shoot nothing.”

Not all English sporting prints are of serious profiles of horse flesh.  Henry Heath published a series of “humorous” caricatures in his book “Sporting Alphabet.”  In this particular image, two men are drinking beer and wine.  The tall, skinny man is holding a rifle discussing what would happen if he drank further.

Two men drinking from Henry Heath “Sporting Alphabet” 1840. [1]

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[1] “Doubles and singles” study for “Sporting Alphabet”, Henry Heath, 1828-1832.  #1930,0414.60.  The British Museum.

The Bee’s Wing

“I don’t see the bee’s wing in this port, Mr. Blackstrap, that you are bouncing about,” said a London traveller to a timber-merchant. “No, sir,” said the humorist, “it is not to be seen until you are a deal higher in spirits”.
Charles Molley Westmacott. The English Spy, Volume 2. 1826.

The Bee’s Wing. 1824. [1]

The image in this post is most likely familiar to those who own wine books that pre-date the digital age.  The detail of the corkscrew and decanter are fantastic but of interest is the gentlemen intently staring up and into his glass of wine.  The answer to why he is doing so lies with the title of the picture , “The Bee’s Wing”.  This title informs us he is drinking Port for the bee’s wing is a light film that forms on top of the poured wine as a result of considerable sediment from long-aged bottles.  It was, then, a sign of a fine old bottle of port.  Or at least that is what was commonly believed.  Cyrus Redding writes in Every Man His Own Butler (1839) that it stems from potash in the wine and may be induced by warming young port to near boiling then cooling it in a cellar.

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[1] The Bee’s Wing. Henry Dawe after Michael William Sharp. 1824. #2010,7081.4817. The British Museum.

“give him part of a Bottle of Wine, it being his Birth Day”: Twelve accounts involving a bottle of wine

I love perusing The Proceedings of the Old Bailey for content in anyway related to wine.  This site may sound familiar due to my Murder and Thieves series of posts.  Inspired by Sharon Howard’s investigation of phrases in the criminal proceedings, I present to you extracts from twelve different proceedings spanning the years 1683 – 1737.  This is by no means a thorough list, just one the presents a variety of events involving a Bottle of wine.  I strongly encourage you to read more of these proceedings for in the last case you will find, ” When the Wine came up, they fill’d a Glass, which I believe was a full Pint-glass, and with bitter Oaths and Imprecations, they forced me to drink it off”.

17th century English wine bottles. The British Museum.

1 – “the Prisoner was in Company of another Woman, picked up the Prosecutor in Fleet-street and proffered either to give or take a Bottle of Wine, which agreed on, they went to the Green-Dragon-Tavern , and there Hug’d him so long till they had pickt his Pocket of the Watch and Mony aforesaid”[1]

2 – “Indicted for stealing a Silver Tankard from John Nichols , a Vintner , to whom he went for a Bottle of Wine, and whilst it was drawing, was so nimble to steal the Tankard out of a Closet”[2]

3 – “Geo. Caskey, together with Francis Pevanson, alias Peverson , a French-man, and Daniel Ballantine an Italian having been drinking at a Musick House in Rosemary-lane, as they were coming away they would have had another Bottle of Wine; which the Master of the House refused: at which they were highly offended, broke the Windows of the House, and abused the Woman”[3]

4 – “That Lacy the Prisoner importuning the Plantiff Aldridge to drink a Bottle of Wine, who, after some Importunities going with him, and drinking some part of four Bottles of Wine; which when he had done, refusing to drink any more, going off, the Prisoner assaulted him the said Aldridge with his Fist, beating him to the Ground, very much abusing his Face”[4]

5 – “whilst the Maid of the house (whom he had sent to fetch him a Bottle of Wine, under pretence he had friends to visit him) was absent, he pick’d the lock of a Chest of Drawers that stood in his Chamber, and rifling those that were open, made his escape”[5]

6 – “That being one that practised the Trade of Night walking , she invited him to a Tavern in St. Martins le Grand , in order to partake of a Bottle of Wine, But they had scarcely begun to grow familiar, before she had dived into his Pocket, and getting his Purse of Gold, she gave him the slip”[6]

7 – “he met the Prisoner, who ask’d him for a Bottle of Wine, and he went with her, and being in the Tavern, there came another Woman to them, and then he went home with them to their Lodging; where shewing them his Ring, the Prisoner snatch’d it from him, and gave it to the other, who would not return it”[7]

8 – “asking him where he was going, he answered on Shore for his Health, and that when he return’d he would give him part of a Bottle of Wine, it being his Birth Day”[8]

9 – “that presently they went out, and after some Time came in again, that it seem’d as if they had been a quarreling, but then both of them seem’d satisfied, that they then call’d for a Bottle of Wine; that Captain Otway call’d the Deceas’d Scrub and Coward, to which the Deceas’d answer’d, he was no Coward, but a Soldier”[9]

10 – “that they all went into the Room, and she carried in a Bottle of Wine, and she heard no more, till she heard the Deceas’d was kill’d”[10]

11 – “here I and Mrs. M – drank 3 three Shilling Bowls of Punch and a Bottle of Wine: After which, he made me a present of half a Guinea, and eight Shillings in Silver, and offered me half a Guinea more to lie with him”[11]

12 – “I (thinking myself very safe) sat down, and drank Part of his Bottle of Wine, and when that Bottle was out, I called for another, in Answer to Mr. Car’s Bottle. When this Bottle was drank out, we had another”[12]

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[1] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), August 1683, trial of Frances Marsh (t16830829-2).
[2] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), April 1684, trial of Lawrence Axtel Elizabeth Axtel (t16840409-25).
[3] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), September 1684, trial of George Caskey Francis Pevanson, alias Peverson Daniel Ballantine (t16840903-18).
[4] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), October 1685, trial of William Lacy (t16851014-4).
[5] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), January 1686, trial of Edward Reyon (t16860114-13).
[6] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), December 1688, trial of Jane King (t16881205-22).
[7] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), June 1714, trial of Eleanor Collins (t17140630-53).
[8] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), December 1720, trial of Edward Ely (t17201207-37).
[9] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), December 1728, trial of Thomas Otway (t17281204-13).
[10] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), August 1730, trial of David Murphey (t17300828-30).
[11] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), December 1734, trial of Martha Holcomb , alias Nichols Charles Holcomb (t17341204-28).
[12] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 27 October 2015), October 1737, trial of Thomas Car Elizabeth Adams (t17371012-3).

A picture of a 19th century device that preserved wine through carbonation

The Carbonicateur Pini debuted in 1898 as a device designed to preserve wine in barrel through carbonation.  It was felt that young wine, which still had carbonation, was attractive due to its pungency.  As the carbonation faded, the wine came across as flat and stale as it was exposed to more oxygen.  It was felt the pumping the wine full of carbonation could fend off oxygen contact.  Research and meetings about the use of carbonation appear to have gained favor during the second half of the 19th century.  The Carbonicateur Pini is a 30 kilogram device that allows the user to carbonate barrels of various sizes at the rate of 100 hectoliters per day. It uses a tube and metal pipes with tiny holes to inject the gas into the wine.  The pressure of the barrel may be regulated.  The inventor hoped it would gain popularity in southern France and Algeria.  It was even felt that it could improve wine.

Carbonicateur Pini. 1898. [1]

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[1] Le Progrès agricole et viticole, Volume 29. 1898 URL: https://books.google.com/books?id=floEAQAAIAAJ&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

“Le vin de la comet”: Wine of the comet

Printed 7 or 8 years after the Great Comet of 1811, this image showing a happy cobbler holding up a jug of wine. Above the doorframe appears the image of a comet with the letters “LA COM” underneath it.  Perhaps the cobbler is smiling because he is drinking wine from the 1811 harvest.  A vintage which Michael Broadbent once rated five stars for the wines of Sauternes.

Le vin de la comet. Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. 1818-1819. [1]

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[1] Le vin de la comet. Print by Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. Printd by Delpech. 1818-1819. #1875,0612.116. The British Museum.

Debut of the Library Company Madeira this Saturday in Philadelphia

This Saturday, October 17, 2015, I will be participating in the debut of the “Library Company Madeira” in Philadelphia.  This Madeira is the latest in the Historic Series and stems from a collaboration between Mannie Berk, The Rare Wine Co., Ricardo Freitas, Vinhos Barbeito, and the Library Company.  The Library Company was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731 and is considered the first successful lending library in America.

Hill-Physick House which was originally owned by Madeira merchant Henry Hill. Image from HABS at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Henry Hill was a successful Madeira merchant who lived in Philadelphia and also knew Benjamin Franklin.  As a partner in the firm Hill, Lamar, & Bisset, he sold Madeira to wealthy Americans including financier Robert Morris, signers of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll and John Hancock, and George Washington.  Many of the business letters sent to Henry Hill reside at the Library Company.  I recently studied a selection of these letters and will be presenting a brief talk on “The Role of the Madeira Shipper in Relation to American Connoisseurs: The Case of Henry Hill”.  For further information please see Unveiling of the “Library Company Madeira.

My Father’s Day Card

My Father’s Day card is just too precious not to share.

I Buy Good Wine at a Discount Liquor Store

The Sign Along Route 50

I have been visiting the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland since I was a little boy.  This has involved driving along Route 50 through the city of Easton.  I can recall always driving past Wishing Well Liquors but for the last several years I have been intrigued by their sign advertising the “Area’s Only Wine Cellar.”  Last year I featured a pair of posts about purchasing and drinking wine in Ocean City.  Having read a comment by Justin Bonner on Wine Berserkers about purchasing a bottle of wine from The Wishing Well Liquors, I just knew I had to stop by on our recent beach trip.  When my mom and I walked into the store we knew we were in for a treat.

Discount Liquor!

Wishing Well Liquors has been around since 1957.  Four and a half years ago it changed owners for the third time when it was purchased by Dave Douglas.  Wine was not part of the original strengths of the store so when Dave Douglas decided to cultivate a wine selection he brought on Philip Bernot.  Philip Bernot has been in the wine industry for decades.  Today he still recalls being a teenager working in his father’s San Diego store where he squirreled away bottles of 1968 Sebastiani, Pinot Noir, Limited Cask and 1969 Inglenook, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  Together Dave and Philip designed an above-ground wine cellar expansion for the store, the layout, and custom racking.

The Last Place You Would Expect to Find a Wine Cellar, Image from Wishing Well Liquor

When you walk into the store you immediately pick up on the vintage look with the classic, sweet smell that takes a liquor store decades to acquire.  The front-center of the store features a check-out area stocked with smaller bottles of liquor.  The walls and shelves are filled with an extensive selection of budget and high-quality liquors, along with a selection of more affordable wines.  There is also a walk-in beer chiller filled with micro-brews.  As you continue to the back of the old store you will come to the new wine cellar room.  The blond wine-racks and spot-lighting put on a good vibe but once you focus in on the labels being stock you will be surprised.

Inside the Wine Cellar Room

Philip picks wines primarily based on taste so it is not surprising that his first recommendation was the 2007 Chelti Estate Vineyards, Chelti from Georgia.  You may check out my previous review of this wine here.  Take the time to browse through the store but make sure you ask Philip for some recommendations for he has immense enthusiasm.  This results in a diverse array of international selections at all price points.  On the day we visited he was pouring 2009 Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tierra de Castilla to taste.  I now know I shall always stop by Wishing Well Liquors on my way to the beach and highly recommend that you do as well.

Some Wine for Tasting

Here are the wines which we walked away with.  And yes, we bought liquor too.  After all the 75th running of the International Gold Cup is quickly approaching.

• 2011 A.A. Badenhorst, Secateurs, Chenin Blanc, Swartland
• 2010 Patrick Piuze, Val de Mer Chablis
• 2011 La Grange Tiphaine, Ad Libitum, Touraine Amboise
• 2009 Clos Sigeuier, Cahors
• George Dickel, No 12, Tennessee Whiskey

The Jolly Roger Wine List

A group of us were at The Collins Pub in Pioneer Square, Seattle last night for some pre-dinner pints.  After drinking the Boundary Bay IPA and the Russian River Brewery, Pliny the Elder I took a walk around.  To my surprise I found pages from The Jolly Roger menu.

The Jolly Roger, 1935, Image from Shoreline Historical Museum, Under a Creative Commons License

There is a rumor that the Jolly Roger operated in Lake City Way during prohibition.  Apparently people would stand watch in the tower for any police activity and if needed alert the patrons.  They could then leave through an underground tower.  According to Paul Dorpat of The Seattle Times, it did not even exist during Prohibition.  The plans for the building were presented by the architect on Dec. 15, 1933, a week and a half after the repeal of Prohibition.  Originally operating as the Chinese Castle it became The Jolly Roger when the original license was revoked after two years.  In 1979 it was designed a Historic Seattle Landmark and eventually burned down in 1989.  If you poke around the web you can find Jolly Roger menus for sale from several different decades.

The Jolly Roger Menu

The prices on the wine list are interesting.  The cheapest wine listed is the Claret for $1.25 per bottle with the most expensive being the “Imported Burgundy Macon Brand” for $3.50 per bottle.  Particularly interesting are the bottle and glass prices.  A $2 bottle of wine could also by had by the glass for $0.15.  So either the bottles were big or the glasses were small!

Closeup of The Jolly Roger Wine List