Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-04
Wine at Two Millions a Bottle.

We had almost believed that the types had
annexed few struggling c;phers to the above
figures, but on perusiDg the entire article which
we find in o late number of the Courier des
Etats Unis, under the above caption, we find it
is "a fixed fact" that there is such costly bev-
eraee in the world as wine at 100000 bot
tie. and, what is better, that there is more OF
the same sort left" The said article discourseth
somewhat in this wise Among the rare luxu-
ries of rich Germany which graced the table Of
the King of Wurtemburg on the occasion OF the
meeting of his two imperial guests, one might
see figuring conspicuously the celebrated wine
of Rosenwein. OF which the free city OF Bremen
is SO justly proud. The burgomasters alone OF
this city are privileged TO appropriate few bot
ties for private use, or to present sovereign or
reigning prince. The history OF TINS WINE,
which il worth to-day II 100000 trancs-there
is no Typographical mistake here-possesses all
the marvellousness of legend, and is briefly as
follows: The cellar of Bremen is the most an
cient of all the cellars in Germany. 1t is stua-
ted under the Hotel de Vile. One OF its apart
ments called the rose, from basrelief In bronze
representing roses, and serving the double pur-
nose of an ornament and guide. contains the ia
nous wine of Rose vein, deposited there nearly
two centuries ard half. In 1924 there were
placed in this cellar six large cases OF Rhenish
wine. called Johannsberger, (ocholoss-Johannis-
berg. the ancient abbey now belonging to the
family of Metternich,) and the same number of
cases named Hocheimer. The adjoining part of
the cellar also store wines of the same descrip-
tion. now less costly, although not so old by
few years.
They were contained in twelve large cases,
each one of which bore the name of one OF the
twelve Apostles and the wine OF Judas, despite
the reprobation attached to its name, is to this
day more highly esteemed than all the others.
In other parts Of the cellar are to be found diff
ferent wines of later years. Whenever bottle
of the Rosenwein is taken out, it is replaced by
the wine of the twelve Apostles-the latter by
Younger wine, and so on with the others; so
that unlike the vessel of the Danaides, the sa-
cred cases are never empty.
Now for the price: One large case of the
wine. containing oxhoft of 204 bottles, cost
500 rx dollars in 1924. Including the expenses
of keeping up the cellar, and of the contribll-
tons, interest of the amounts, and interests upon
interests. an oxhoft costs at the present time
sos, ,657, $40 rix dollars, and consequently bot
tie is worth 2.72S,S12 rix dollars glass, or the
eighth part of bottle, is worth 340.476 rix dol
ilars-(about 1861 ,904 francs or $272,360; or
ut the rate of $40 rix dollars, or l,362 francs,
s272 per drop) A burgomaster OF Bremen is
privileged to have one bottle whenever he Ell.
ttertains distinguished guest who enjoys Ger
man or European reputation. Il,
During the French occupation some OF the
nu.e n"ra,. of M the Empire were allowed consde.
hk, seha m onantsy Of this precious liquor. Hence
tns ns9 9remenese believe that their city paid
iaryer contribution to France than oil the Other
cities of Germany united.