Historical Cooking Books: The wine-drinker’s manual (1830) – 33 in a series

Archive.org has a host of old cookery books (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these books. I’ll be sharing more books as I find them in the coming weeks. –Douglas


What might you find in these old cookbooks? What special recipes have been handed down to you? Share in the Comments!

Historical Cooking Books: The wine-drinker’s manual (1830) – 33 in a series

Historical Cooking Books: The wine-drinker's manual (1830) - 33 in a seriesHistorical Cooking Books: The wine-drinker's manual (1830) - 33 in a series

Available in PDF, Text, JPG formats, and more

PREFACE.

The object of the following pages is to exhibit a sketchy outline of the most celebrated vineyards, and the several processes of wine-making in different countries : in short, to represent the general economy of one of the most interesting branches of human invention. The subject was of no very facile complexion ; but one from which the Author would have shrunk with due sense of his incompetence to treat, had he not been induced to the task, by the superabundance of materials,which, much reading and laborious research enabled him to render available. His duties, therefore, became rather those of arrangement than authorship ; although it is hoped that the candour with which this distinction is made in the subsequent pages, renders this explanation almost superogatory.

As the present volume aspires only to the rank of a u Manual,” the reader will not expect to find it contain any extensive researches into the antiquarian history of Wine, or the ancient and modern philosophy of its manufacture. Had these divisions of the subject been largely expatiated on, the work must necessarily have assumed too scientific a character for the general reader. On the other hand, the Author has endeavoured to produce a book of picturesque details of the wine-countries, and the practical points of wine-making ; at the same time, illustrating the latter by the results of the most recent enquiries of men of experimental and practical science. To these the Author has added his own experience, which, though comparatively unpretending, has, he hopes, enabled him to adapt and arrange the contributions of others with propriety and effect.

Although the Author’s claim to originality in these pages is thus humbly rated, it would be false delicacy not to express his confidence in the appreciation of the labour which was requisite for their production. Anxiety to furnish the reader with the present face of the wine-countries, has led him to consult the journals of the most recent and accredited travellers; and equal diligence has prompted him in the more practical and technical portions of his work. Few attempts have been made at ornate style, or embellishment of the subject; since it would have been folly to attempt in prose what the poets of all ages have so divinely blended with their happiest productions ; but some relief was occasionally necessary. A glance at the annexed Table of Contents, will excuse the Author adding more in a prefatory form ; but, as the subject is rife with delight, he will not trespass on the patience of the reader, further than by expressing a hope, that his gratification will be identified throughout the pages of the Wine-drinker’s Manual.

Richmond, April, 1830.



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