New Jersey museum finds cases of wine nearly as old as the United States

www.nwfdailynews.com...

A restoration project at a New Jersey museum unearthed cases of wine nearly as old as the United States.

The Liberty Hall Museum in Union says it discovered almost three full cases of Madeira wine, a fortified wine, dating to 1796 while restoring its wine cellar. NJ.com (http://(link tracking not allowed)/2sHP4uh ) reports the museum also found 42 demijohns — large glass jugs sometimes used for holding spirits — dating to the 1820s.

The museum said the monetary value of the wine cannot be made public.

The original 13 colonies imported about 95 percent of the wine produced on the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, according to historical accounts. Bill Schroh, Liberty Hall’s director of operations, said Madeira was the best wine to ship during the 18th century because it almost never spoils — even centuries later if stored properly.

How's that for a bit of History? Any wine fans out there, I'll bet there's quite a few. But the bottles must be worth a bundle.

a reply to: blackadder01

Bottles of sediment probably, valued more for their age and label than to drink.

Who wants alcohol you can't drink?

a reply to: intrptr
OH believe me, I have seen with my own two eyes those who would have chosen a bottle of lysol to a nice glass of edible wine. There will be buyers I can guarantee you that.

a reply to: blackadder01

There will be buyers I can guarantee you that.

They have to launder their ill gotten gain somewhere.

Wealthy elite need more tax shelters

A bottle of Clique Cuvée from 1888 was valued as priceless, so these bottles can be expected to fetch an astronomical price and give a nice boost to the museum's coffers. As for the Demijohns, if some provenance can be established regarding their origin, then they also may be of considerable value.

Just take a look at this
www.wine-searcher.com...


Add to that the fact that they are likely original property of a signatory to the Constitution and you have ŵhat we in England would call a "nice little earner".

a reply to: intrptr

That will be where it will all end up, in some wealthy aristocrats basement for another 50 years or so. When you're that rich you begin running out of things to brag about.

originally posted by: blackadder01
a reply to: intrptr

That will be where it will all end up, in some wealthy aristocrats basement for another 50 years or so. When you're that rich you begin running out of things to brag about.

My personal opinion, they didn't 'discover lost wine' either. They knew it was there, decided to sell it off...

a reply to: CulturalResilience

Their value will be sky high after this find. I don't know if all of them will end up in a museum but my bet is that someone with unlimited funds will leave them a couple and fund the museum then swipe the rest for themselves.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: blackadder01

Bottles of sediment probably, valued more for their age and label than to drink.

Who wants alcohol you can't drink?

Don't be so sure:

Liberty Hall President John Kean said he sampled the wine. He compared it to a sweet sherry.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: blackadder01

Bottles of sediment probably, valued more for their age and label than to drink.

Who wants alcohol you can't drink?

kept upright and in the dark, quite the deal.

age and label would be a bonus.

originally posted by: Liquesence

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: blackadder01

Bottles of sediment probably, valued more for their age and label than to drink.

Who wants alcohol you can't drink?

Don't be so sure:

Liberty Hall President John Kean said he sampled the wine. He compared it to a sweet sherry.

If that is true then the value of that particular bottle has just massively decreased.

originally posted by: badw0lf
kept upright and in the dark, quite the deal.

age and label would be a bonus.

On their sides. Upright and the corks dry out and you get too much ullage.

originally posted by: CulturalResilience

originally posted by: Liquesence

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: blackadder01

Bottles of sediment probably, valued more for their age and label than to drink.

Who wants alcohol you can't drink?

Don't be so sure:

Liberty Hall President John Kean said he sampled the wine. He compared it to a sweet sherry.

If that is true then the value of that particular bottle has just massively decreased.

Well, of course.

I would have done the same, you better well believe.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: badw0lf
kept upright and in the dark, quite the deal.

age and label would be a bonus.

On their sides. Upright and the corks dry out and you get too much ullage.

Damn I knew I had it either right or wrong. never trust me with your ancient wines !!

originally posted by: badw0lf
Damn I knew I had it either right or wrong. never trust me with your ancient wines !!

No worries. You're from the bottom of the planet so your up is actually down.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: badw0lf
Damn I knew I had it either right or wrong. never trust me with your ancient wines !!

No worries. You're from the bottom of the planet so your up is actually down.

Was asked once by a group of fellas how I was, as we waited for a train. I said "getting there" and one said "Stand on yer head, you'll get there faster!"

He may have been on to something.



yes, wine was involved.. well on my part at least.

It may have been done before it was realised what the bottle actually was, which is excusable. I have a love and understanding of wine, actual wine experts are very few and far between as it takes a lifetime of dedication to achieve actual wine expert status. Even with my limited knowledge, I know that you never open a bottle of with a vintage over five years without first establishing its providence.

a reply to: Liquesence

a reply to: blackadder01

Very cool find! Its a pity some people cannot appreciate this for the history it is...I had no idea we were importing wine from a Portuguese archipelago!

Cool find, thanks

originally posted by: BlueJacket
a reply to: blackadder01

Very cool find! Its a pity some people cannot appreciate this for the history it is...I had no idea we were importing wine from a Portuguese archipelago!

Cool find, thanks

Just another gift us Brits gave the US. You're welcome

Madeira is a fortified wine that is cooked, or gradually heated. This makes it practically indestructible. Which is good if you want to keep it in your cupboard for a few months.

I just looked up what a 1975 vintage bottle of Medeira costs, and it was $200.00.

These will be very much sought after.