The Portuguese island of Madeira has been celebrated for its wines for a very long period. Of the different varieties, the finest is that known as 1VIalmsey, which is the produce of a particular vineyard ; next in order come the wines of Tinta, Sercial, Bual, and Bastardo All Madeira wines increase considerably in quality and in strength by keeping. They are much esteemed in this country.
The situation of Italy is highly favourable to the cultivation of the grape and the production of ,good wines. The annual produee is about 27,000,000 heetols , but this quantity might be very considerably increased. In 1867, the produce of the whole of Italy was 28,879,908 hectols. ; the average produce at the present time is rather less than this. The most celebrated Italian wines are those which are furnished by the vineyards in the neighbourhood of Vesuvius, one of which is the excellent liqueur wine called Lacryrase-Christi. The wines of Piedmont, known as Barbera, Nebbiolo, Barolo, Gattinara, Malvasia d'Asti, &c., are also much esteemed. The Sicilian and Sardinian brands, however, constitute the most important produce of Italy. The former island is
renowned for its Marsala, Malvasia, and Moscati, and for the wines called Etna-Madeira and Syracuse. There were 158 representatives of Italy at the Exhibition of 1878, and 417 samples were exhibited, each being accompanied by its analysis.
Greece has long been celebrated for the excellence of its wines. The dry wines of Corinth have special qualities of bouquet and aroma. Those of the island of Thyra are considered t,o be superior to all other Grecian brands ; four-fifths of these are dry and acid, the remainder being very sweet red and white wines, known as Vino Santo. The island of Cyprus is celebrated for the liqueur wine to which it has given its name.
Australia is fast taking a prominent place among wine-producing countries. The soil and climate of many parts are well suited to viticulture. Some of the wines are richer and more alcoholic than those of Portugal; a few are of soft, luscious, delicate flavour, while others resemble the Sauternes.