FoodNet

A bachelors cupboard

1906

Page 65

Presented as published in 1906. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
COUNSEL going to change their tactics. An inno- cent-looking syphon has been known to explode at a sudden change in temperature. Syphons are generally charged at a pressure of from 130 to 150 pounds to the square inch. That means that if a bottle so charged is allowed to slip from your hands, if only for a few feet, the jar is liable to cause a dangerous explosion. Never grasp a cold syphon with the hand, as the sudden change of temperature thus produced Is even more liable to cause an explosion than a sudden jar. Instead of syphons, many bachelors use various car- bonated table waters or bottled spring waters for use in mixing fizzes, high balls, and the like. The benefit to one's health derived from the use of such pure waters 159 A BACHELOR'S CUPBOARD What to Pay for Wines as White Rock, Poland, Apollinarls, and Londonderry LIthia is being realized more and more. It is a well- known fact that such waters, used with white wines and champagnes, enhance the bouquet, the delicate flavors, and prevent the disagreeable effects of over-indulgence. i6o CHAPTER XVI Good liquor, I stoutly maintain, gives genius a better discerning." — GoLDsailTH. Almost every bachelor Is capable of ordering a dream of a dinner — but how many are connoisseurs of wines to the extent of being able at once to select the correct variety, vintage, and "bouquet," to accompany it? The highest authorities differ upon the specification of any regular rou- tine of wines for proper service at a dinner or other function. But It behooves every man who entertains much to familiarize himself with the various wines and their sequence by courses. Many a good dinner is spoiled by the ordering of Inferior wine or the departure from the pre- scribed rules for serving. One sees to-day, particularly in America, service of champagne alone i6i A BACHELOR'S CUPBOARD Correct Wines for all Occasions during a dinner. The nouveau rich-e from the mining camp or the oil districts often blows into town with the one idea of spending money, and spending it on champagne. Whether it is sweet or dry does not particularly matter to him, so long as it is cham- pagne. Indeed, in England and in some places on the Conti- nent one often sees champagne alone served at a dinner, but it is better on general principles to carefully select at least one other wine to precede the champagne — in- deed, two wines would be better. " As a man drinks, so he is," runs an old proverb. A discriminating taste in wines is easily acquired, and custom has laid down a few rules that are easily mas- tered in practice. Strictly correct service is that which offers with each course a wine which will harmonize in flavor and strength, leading the palate gently from course to course, and bringing out agreeably the value of each succeeding wine. '^ Thirst makes wine out of water/* *' Run and read: " APERITIF The cocktail is the national aperitif of America — Manhattan or Martini being most in favor. In England one does not usually consider this com- mencement necessary, but on the Continent old Ma- deira, very dry sherry, vermouth, or Fernet are offered as an " avant diner." 162 A BACHELOR'S CUPBOARD Correct Wines for all Occasions AUX Light white wines, as Rhine and Moselle,