22 APRIL 1960, Page 14

II A MBROSIA

Sia,---Whilst we all appreciate Mr. Postgate's opinion on fine wines,- I feel, that someone must correct him when he writes about wines which' it is only too obvious he has never even sampled—much less tested for alcoholic strength.

Australian and Cyprus 'sweet sherries.' which sell retail at prices between 7s. 6d. and 10s. a bottle, as quoted by Mr. Postgate, can only be offered at these prices because they are much less fortified by spirit than is the custom with the traditional fortified wines from Spain and Portugal.

Whilst Douro Port is of approximately 34° strength, the average Cyprus 'Cream' is of approxi-

mately 26.5° spirit strength and a typical Australian

Sweet Sherry is of approximately 30° strength. In- cident

vally, this wine would be fortified in Australia a considerable time before shipment with pure grape spirit. which is presumably also the custom in Jerez- de-la-Prontera.

wine must, of course, carry the country of origin on the label and simple titles such as 'Empire'

°I- 'Blended' would be illegal. But as Mr. Postgate is 5" Obviously worried about the public consumption °I. alcohol there is one feature of the recent Budget which is Certainly very difficult to understand.

He cannot be unaware that over six million gallons of fortified British wines are sold annually and that

this is approximately one-third of all the wine con- sinned in the UK. For various reasons these fortified %I wrifles can be sold at a cheaper price than any Empire' blend and cost approximately 6s. to 6s. 6d. a bottle. Before the Budget, the Customs limited the

alcoholic strength to 27', but in future, without any

alteration in price, the strength can presumably be increased up to 32°.

But maybe Mr. Postgate prefers to ignore this

possibly, illegitimate, child of the . wine trade and would rather concentrate on the efforts of the Australian and Cyprus wine farmers to supply a genuine fortified wine at a reasonable price.—Yours faithfully,

P. C. B. THORNTON

43 liming Road, Edgware. Middlesex