Yummy Malaysiana: A Vintage Wine List Circa 1956

A Vintage Wine List Circa 1956

Fancy a flagon of Safari Burgundy from South Africa or a very full Algerian Burgundy? Maybe a Spanish Sauternes is more your tipple? The most expensive still wine on the list is a Berncasteler Estate Wine, 1955 vintage yours for 18/6 a full bottle. Thats 18/6 in old money, that, coupled with the 55 vintage gives an indication of the age of this Christmas price list from now defunct Unwins.

These two lists were discovered many moons ago in the shop, an Unwins offie, which he managed. They were lining a bottom of a box at the back of a cupboard if memory recalls correctly. Said friend gave me copies and what a fascinating little slice of wine history they are.

One list is a Christmas list the other seems to come from a year or two later but both are of the similar design. The non-Christmas list gives a later vintage of the Berncasteler; the 57 now available for 18/0. Now Im unsure if these are the full product range of the merchant but what is interesting is the domination of sherry, sherry-style (South African in origin), port wines and port-style wines (both South African and Australian) and Madeira. The full gamut of sherry styles are listed pale, golden, palido, brown, golden oloroso, fino, manzanilla, amontillado, walnut brown (isnt that a brand?) and oloroso cream. The latter the most expensive at 21/0 the rough equivalent to 18 today.

Deinhard Liebfraumilch 1957 at 14/6 is the same price as a Beaune 1953, producer unlisted. That 14/6 converts to about 12.60 today. British wines, Chanticleer or Tattoo (both brands I believe), are available in something called a Large Oval. Interesting too, that nearly all the wines listed are available in both bottle and half bottle sizes. A Grand Cru Chablis 1955 would set you back 13/6 (11.76) for a bottle or 7/3 (6.30) for a half.

[The Pound/shilling conversions for this vintage wine list were undertaken via a ! facility at The National Archives]