Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-12-18
A WINEMAlsER FROM SPAIN.
rom Vintaaes of Andalusia He Brings


Los Angeles Times: There Is at present
al the Van Nays hotel one of the most
unique and interesting guests who has
taffied at the hostelry of many travellers
of many nationalties for some time
He is Luis de Castro Falomno, is
cousin of the Duke of Allnodovar, the
present minister OF state of Spain, and is
a member of the famous wine house of
Spain, the firm of Pedro Domecq, founded
in 1870, IN the celebrated Sherry district of
Jcrez de IL Frortera, Andalusia with
Cadiz as It's seaport.
Ia fact, the member Of the house Of
Domecq explained while sitting in his
apartments amid treasured little bottles
from the choicest vintages of southern
Spain, the word sherry is nothing more
nor less than an English corruption of
sNerez" as Jerez YVES written in olden
times When the present sherry was
sent TO England, the great wine market.
from the Domecq vineyards in '.Nerez de
la trontera the clumsy English tongue
soon fell TO saying shelry WileN for
'.NercZ Wine
Mr.. Castro Is In California To spend Some
time looking into the wine industry of the
state, to size ii upi' from a professional
standpoint, ascertain how far the science
of vino making has Progressed here in
New Spain, ana 10 see what, ii any, COM
petition may be expected in Europe from
this coast.
The old house OF Domecq produces moth
ing but sherry wines, and Mr.. Castro
has with him cherished sample from the
famous Napoleon vintage, the first pro-
dueed by the firm, in 1lSe; one OF the most
wonderful wines eXtant. as Black as a
shoe. heavy and naturally OF the "rarest'
flavor
or this ancient vintage, until Mr.. Cas-
tro landed in America three weeks ago ana
.l,l Il -rs
for what IS said TO have been the most
fabulous price ever paid for wine In this
country, only three casks had eyer been
SOLD, one 10 Napoleon L., when he was crn-
peror of France; one to the Duke Of liam
ilton of England, and another TO a wealthy
retired dealer of England named Nisbet,
| the price paid per oask being G1oc2.
Tho vintage received its name, "Napoe-
on" from Marshal soult of the Little
Corporalsn army, who visited the wine
rea at Jerez de IA E'rontera during the Pen
insular wars in 1905 and upon tasting OF
tho old wine wrote in chalk across the
end OF the butt from which it was drawn
the word "Napoleon,' as the highest
mark of appreciation which he could be
stow. Only five butts now remain OF the
entire vintage and are Kept as souvenirs
Of the founding OF the firm.
The full history of the vintage is pub
! lished in an old book dealing with historic
wines, Il copy of which Nj. Castro was
surprised to find in the possession Of a
gentleman of Cincinnati, and from which
he made q typewritten extract. In 1924
the house of Domecq was granted permis-
sion to use as it's mark the royal coat of
arms of Spain.
@of course" said he speaking of the
| wines of California, the industry Is only
nm infant here as yet, and as far as | have
been able to judge, has great room for I'M
proyement as compared with that of Eu
rope, where wines have been made for SO
long. In light wines California is well to
the front. and seems TO be improving all
the time"