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SOCIAL WINE RECIPES
A social wine, such as is made by most amateur winemakers, has no
obvious counterpart among commercial wines. In England, at least, it is
not customary to drink commercial wines other than before, during or
after a meal. In Europe, however, wine is often used to 'rinse the
throat' at any time of the day or evening. Amateur winemakers who have
made their wine cheaply and have a good cellar are able to afford the
apparent luxury of a bottle of wine between friends during the evening,
served perhaps with only biscuits and cheese or savoury biscuits. The
wine can be red or white, is somewhat stronger and richer than a table
wine, but is by no means as strong and as rich as a dessert wine. Often
it is a blended wine, but its texture, strength and sweetness vary
enormously both from one winemaker to another and, indeed, in the wines
made and served for this purpose by any individual winemaker.
With these thoughts in mind you will appreciate the
wide range and variety of recipes that follow. All the flower wines have
been included in this section because their more pronounced bouquet and
favour, even when very well made, are best appreciated on their own
rather than with food.
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