on parchment or some
other material, and also noted in passing that he owned around 25 hectares of
vineyards alongside a few hundred hectares of agricultural land. This does not
mean very much, however, as no true Roman estate would have done otherwise,
as wine was a way of raking in extra wealth, prompting Diodorus Siculus to com-
ment in the first century BC: ‘The avaricious temperament of many Roman trad-
ers exploits the Gallic passion for wine. On the boats which follow the waterways
or by wagons which roll across the plain, they transport wine, from which they
make fantastic profits, going as far as trading one amphora for one slave, in such
manner that the buyer brings his servant to pay for the drink.'
The Roman scholar, politician and poet Decimus Magnus Ausonius was born
in Bordeaux in around 310 (other sources refer to Vasate or Bazas) and died after
a long career in 395 on his family's estate in la Réole in southern Gironde. There is
virtually nothing to associate him with Saint-Emilion. The legend that he owned
a winery there emerged in the 17th or 18th century, and I cannot help thinking
that there are prevailing mercantile and chauvinist interests in this interpretation
of history. Here are the facts: Ausonius's writings mention a villa called Lucani-
acus which ‘could rival a palace in Rome' and could apparently be reached from
Ausonius
A perfect glass shaped to complement
any wine? An elegant creation to
highlight the bouquet of white, red,
sparkling and dessert wines?
Often the choice of a suitable glass is more difficult than
the choice of the right wine. What is more important to the
connoisseur? A cupboard full of glasses or a cellar full of wines?
The modern way of enjoying the intense taste of wine in minor portions.
The wine should be allowed to express itself, and unfold its aroma
in the appropriate glass.
As a highlight of the collaboration with professional glass designers and the
renowned wine critic, René Gabriel, the unique GABRIEL-GLAS© was born.
Medium-sized, elegant and affordable. Expertise in glass creation meets
supreme connoisseurship. Simply pure enjoyment of wine! For every day!
For every wine! Santé! Only one but unique glass for your enjoyment?
Try it! You will be delighted!
The proclaimed advantages will convince
•
For a perfect tasting a small quantity of wine is enough.
•
The «Bouquet-Drive» located on the belly unfolds the flavour quickly.
•
The slightly conically tapered shape concentrates the bouquet.
•
The ultra thin workmanship presents a royal finesse in drinking.
•
The perfect volume for a usual capacity.
•
The uncompromising height of the glass is best suited both for young and older wines.
•
White, red or sweet – maximum enjoyment is guaranteed no matter what wine you choose
.
•
Ordinary wines are improving and quality wines are remaining quality wines.
•
The general shape presents maximum elegance and a noble presentation.
•
The the glass is light but durable.
•
It's a state-of-art, lead-free crystal glass.
•
The glass is dishwasher resistant and fits in every device.
For best results use dry chemical only.
•
GABRIEL-GLAS© offers an attractive pricing, so wine tasting
remains a pleasurable yet affordable experience.
The Gabriel-Glas© is available in two different
versions with identic measurements
The StandArt glass: machine made, approx. 150 grams
The Gold Edition glass: mouth blown, ultra light, approx. 90 grams
Capacity: 17,95 oz (GB), 17,25 oz (USA)
Gabriel-Glas (Schweiz) GmbH
Unterdorfstrasse 21, CH-6274 Eschenbach LU, Tel. +41 41 448 19 16
Fax +41 41 930 01 08, [email protected], www.gabriel-glas.com
15
Ausonius and the Romans History
Condat with a team of mules. In 1806, local historian Suffrein published a
