VINTAGE PORT, SUPERB COGNAC, CHAMPAGNE AND GERMAN WINE FROM THE CELLARS OF THE LATE EARL SPENCER AT ALTHORP
Sold by Order of the Executors
The late Earl Spencer built up a formidable collection of wines and old vintage cognacs. A rationalization of the extensive cellars at Althrop has taken place and the following lots are now offered lying in London. Lots 467 to 474 at Christie's and lots 513 to 587 London, S.E.1
A white painted lead bin-label imprinted FRONTIGNAC. Honble Capn Spencer
Details
A white painted lead bin-label imprinted FRONTIGNAC. Honble Capn Spencer
Frontignac is a vin de liqueur, muscat in flavour, produced around the town of Frontignan some ten miles south west of Montpelier in the Midi. Much sought after in England in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was quoted in 1762 in a merchant's list at 6/- (30 pence) per bottle, only 2/- less than champagne and three times the price of Red Port.
Exactly 100 years later in his "Wine and Wine Countries", Charles Tovey mentions the high regard in which Frontignac was held here and goes on to say that it: "captivates the palate with its delicious flavour, while not having the cloying sweetness which renders the sweet wines of Spain rather nauseating"
The Honourable Captain Sir Robert Spencer KCH 1791-1830 would doubtless have developed a taste for this robust wine as the greater part of his naval career was spent in the Mediterranean. The second son of the second Earl Spencer, he was a captain during the war of Greek Independence, 1821 to 1829 and fought in the battle of Navarino in 1827, the last naval battle to be fought under sail. At the time of his death in 1830 he was Commander of the Mediterranean fleet and was buried in Malta where his tomb can still be seen in Valetta
per lot
Frontignac is a vin de liqueur, muscat in flavour, produced around the town of Frontignan some ten miles south west of Montpelier in the Midi. Much sought after in England in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was quoted in 1762 in a merchant's list at 6/- (30 pence) per bottle, only 2/- less than champagne and three times the price of Red Port.
Exactly 100 years later in his "Wine and Wine Countries", Charles Tovey mentions the high regard in which Frontignac was held here and goes on to say that it: "captivates the palate with its delicious flavour, while not having the cloying sweetness which renders the sweet wines of Spain rather nauseating"
The Honourable Captain Sir Robert Spencer KCH 1791-1830 would doubtless have developed a taste for this robust wine as the greater part of his naval career was spent in the Mediterranean. The second son of the second Earl Spencer, he was a captain during the war of Greek Independence, 1821 to 1829 and fought in the battle of Navarino in 1827, the last naval battle to be fought under sail. At the time of his death in 1830 he was Commander of the Mediterranean fleet and was buried in Malta where his tomb can still be seen in Valetta
per lot