6 WINE. 
bum, where the vineyards were situated on the Palus, or low 
ground, near Amycle. Falernian was sometimes mixed with 
Chian wine (from Chios) to soften it. These wines were drank 
after being cooled in snow. They were brought to the table 
in flasks uncorked, with a little fine oil in the necks to exclude 
the air. Sea-water boiled was demanded, a small quantity of 
which was mixed with the wine. The ancients noted the years 
of celebrated growths, as that of the Opimian year, or the year 
of Rome 632, when Opimus was consul. It was in high esteem 
a century afterwards. The Romans marked their Amphorz or 
wine vessels (containing about seven gallons and a pint, modern 
measure) with the consul’s name, which indicated the year of 
the vintage. Many Amphor now exist in the Museums of 
Europe with the legible mark of the vintage. 
Other famous growths among the Romans were the Setine, the 
favourite wine of Augustus Cesar, said to be lighter than the 
Falernian, and supposed to possess medicinal virtues. Surren- 
tine was a wine commended by the Emperor Caligula. It was 
made at Surrentum, and was little inferior to Falernian or Mas- 
sic. This wine was described as a mild wine, less affecting the 
head, according to Pliny, than some other kinds. Various hills 
in Italy and Sicily produced wine celebrated by Roman poets 
and historians, as the Alban, Faudine, Mamertine, and others. 
The wine of the Sabine Farm is immortalized by Horace, more 
through its connection with genius than any intrinsic excellence 
of itsown. The vineyard was situated where two mountains 
opened and formed a secluded valley, the sides of which faced : 
east and west respectively. The stream from the Fount of 
Bandusia ran through the fields of the farm. Horace mentions 
having on this farm to offer his guests some five-year old wine 
of Minturne, grown near Sinuessa. The poet had also some 
Marsian wine, the best of his stock, of the age of the Marsian 
