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| {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} | ||
| {{short description|Historical term for white fortified wine from Spain or the Canary Islands}} | {{short description|Historical term for white fortified wine from Spain or the Canary Islands}} | ||
| ]: "If I had a thousand sons, the first humane principle I would teach them should be, to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack."]] | ]: "If I had a thousand sons, the first humane principle I would teach them should be, to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack."]] | ||
| '''Sack''' is an antiquated ] referring to white ] imported from mainland Spain or the ] |
'''Sack''' is an antiquated ] referring to white ] imported from mainland Spain or the ].<ref name="OCW Sack">, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726232320/http://www.winepros.com.au/jsp/cda/reference/oxford_entry.jsp?entry_id=2790 |date=26 July 2008 }}</ref> There was sack of different origins such as: | ||
| * Canary sack from the Canary Islands, | * Canary sack from the Canary Islands, | ||
| * Malaga sack from ], | * Malaga sack from ], | ||
| * Palm sack from ], and | * Palm sack from ], and | ||
| * Sherris sack from ] | * Sherris sack from ]. | ||
| The term ''Sherris sack'' later gave way to ] as the English term for fortified wine from Jerez. Since sherry is practically the only one of these wines still widely exported and consumed, "sack" (by itself, without qualifier) is commonly but not quite correctly quoted as an old synonym for sherry. |
The term ''Sherris sack'' later gave way to ] as the English term for fortified wine from Jerez. Since sherry is practically the only one of these wines still widely exported and consumed, "sack" (by itself, without qualifier) is commonly but not quite correctly quoted as an old synonym for sherry. | ||
| Most sack was probably sweet, and matured in wooden ]s for a limited time. In modern terms, typical sack may have resembled cheaper versions of medium ] sherry.<ref name="OCW Sack"/> | Most sack was probably sweet, and matured in wooden ]s for a limited time. In modern terms, typical sack may have resembled cheaper versions of medium ] sherry.<ref name="OCW Sack"/> | ||
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| == Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
| The '']'', the '']'', and the '']'' all derive the word "sack" from the French {{lang|fr|sec}}, meaning "dry". However, the OED cannot explain the change in the vowel, and it has been suggested by others that the term is actually from the Spanish word {{lang|es|sacar}},<ref name="OCW Sack"/> meaning "to withdraw", as in withdrawing wine from a ],<ref name=jeffs>Julian Jeffs, Sherry, p. 24; 1961/2004 (5th edition) {{ISBN|1-84000-923-3}}</ref> which led to {{lang|es|sacas}}.<ref name="OCW Sack"/> The word "sack" is not attested before 1530.<ref name="SoW 92-93">Hugh Johnson, The Story of |
The '']'', the '']'', and the '']'' all derive the word "sack" from the French {{lang|fr|sec}}, meaning "dry". However, the OED cannot explain the ], and it has been suggested by others that the term is actually from the Spanish word {{lang|es|sacar}},<ref name="OCW Sack"/> meaning "to withdraw", as in withdrawing wine from a ],<ref name=jeffs>Julian Jeffs, ''Sherry'', p. 24; 1961/2004 (5th edition) {{ISBN|1-84000-923-3}}</ref> which led to {{lang|es|sacas}}.<ref name="OCW Sack"/> The word "sack" is not attested before 1530.<ref name="SoW 92-93">], ''The Story of Wine'', pp. 92–93; 1989/2005 "new illustrated edition" {{ISBN|1-84000-972-1}}</ref> | ||
| Julian Jeffs writes: "The word sack (there are several spellings) probably originated at the end of the fifteenth century, and is almost certainly derived from the Spanish verb {{lang|es|sacar}} ("to withdraw"). In the minutes of the Jerez town council for 1435, exports of wine were referred to as {{lang|es|sacas}}."<ref name=jeffs/> | Julian Jeffs writes: "The word ''sack'' (there are several spellings) probably originated at the end of the fifteenth century, and is almost certainly derived from the Spanish verb {{lang|es|sacar}} ("to withdraw"). In the minutes of the Jerez town council for 1435, exports of wine were referred to as {{lang|es|sacas}}."<ref name=jeffs/> | ||
| === Historical background === | === Historical background === | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
| The ] abolished taxes on export of wine from ] in 1491, allowing both Spanish and foreign ships. English merchants were given preferential treatment in 1517, and distinction was upheld between second-rate wines, so-called "Bastards", and first-rate wines which were known as "Rumneys" and "Sacks". Málaga, formerly in the Kingdom of ], also took to using the name sack for its wines, which were previously sold as "Garnacha".<ref name="SoW 92-93"/> | The ] abolished taxes on export of wine from ] in 1491, allowing both Spanish and foreign ships. English merchants were given preferential treatment in 1517, and distinction was upheld between second-rate wines, so-called "Bastards", and first-rate wines which were known as "Rumneys" and "Sacks". Málaga, formerly in the Kingdom of ], also took to using the name sack for its wines, which were previously sold as "Garnacha".<ref name="SoW 92-93"/> | ||
| This wine was similar to another wine known as 'malmsey', made from ] grapes. | This wine was similar to another wine known as ''malmsey'', made from ] grapes. | ||
| == Literary references == | == Literary references == | ||
| Sack appears in several of ]'s plays. ], introduced in 1597, was fond of sack, and sometimes refers specifically to Sherris sack.<ref>{{ |
Sack appears in several of ]'s plays. ], introduced in 1597, was fond of sack, and sometimes refers specifically to Sherris sack.<ref>{{Folger inline|Henry IV, Part 2|4|2|89–129}}</ref> In act 2, scene 2, of '']'', Stephano, Trinculo, and ] get drunk on sack, a barrel of which had provided Stephano's escape from the shipwreck ("I escaped upon a butt of sack, which the sailors heaved o'erboard{{nbsp}}...").<ref>{{Folger inline|The Tempest|2|2|125–126}}</ref> Shakespeare's minor character ], a drunkard and an object of a jest in '']'', declares that he has "ne'er drunk sack in his life".<ref>{{Folger inline|The Taming of the Shrew|induction|2|6}}</ref> | ||
| ] wrote two comic poems in praise of sack, "His Farewell to Sack"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52542/his-farewell-to-sack | title=His Farewell to Sack by Robert Herrick | date=10 May 2022 }}</ref> and "The Welcome to Sack |
] wrote two comic poems in praise of sack, "His Farewell to Sack"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52542/his-farewell-to-sack | title=His Farewell to Sack by Robert Herrick | date=10 May 2022 }}</ref> and "The Welcome to Sack".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/herrick/welcomesack.htm | title=Robert Herrick. The Welcome to Sack }}</ref> | ||
| ]'s ''Inviting a Friend to Supper'' refers to "A pure cup of rich Canary wine, / Which is the ]'s now, but shall be mine". | ]'s ''Inviting a Friend to Supper'' refers to "A pure cup of rich Canary wine, / Which is the ]'s now, but shall be mine". | ||
| The early ] of England and the UK, such as ] and ], received their salary, in part or in whole, in sack. Later |
The early ] of England and the UK, such as ] and ], received their salary, in part or in whole, in sack. Later laureates, including ] and ], took cash in lieu of sack. | ||
| ] thought "Malago Sack{{nbsp}} |
] thought "Malago Sack{{nbsp}}... was excellent wine, like a spirit rather than wine."<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1663/07/20/|chapter=Monday 20 July 1663|title=]|via=pepysdiary.com}}</ref> | ||
| In the English fairy tale ], upon leaving the kingdom the antagonist is given "sweetmeats, sugar, almonds, &c., in great quantities, and a large bottle of Malaga sack", in contrast to bread, hard cheese, and a bottle of beer given to the protagonist.<ref>English Fairy Tales, by Joseph Jacobs, 1890. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7439</ref> | |||
| ]'s '']'' contains two mentions of sack. The first occurs when a character delays divulging information until after having a meal: "But not a word till I’ve a spread of sack and mutton." Later, another asks, "Am I addled with the sack, or is’t Lazarus untombed?"<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_0553140795 | title=John Barth. The Sot-Weed Factor | website=archive.org| year=1975 | isbn=9780553140798 | last1=Barth | first1=John }}</ref> | |||
| In ''Tales of the Black Freighter'', the story within the graphic novel '']'' by ], a marooned sailor describes the scene upon returning to the shores of his hometown with the lines, "I was returned, splashing noisily through the encumbering shallows, sun mulling the horizon behind me, a poker in a glass of sack." | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 20:34, 21 July 2024
Historical term for white fortified wine from Spain or the Canary Islands
Sack is an antiquated wine term referring to white fortified wine imported from mainland Spain or the Canary Islands. There was sack of different origins such as:
- Canary sack from the Canary Islands,
- Malaga sack from Málaga,
- Palm sack from Palma de Mallorca, and
- Sherris sack from Jerez de la Frontera.
The term Sherris sack later gave way to sherry as the English term for fortified wine from Jerez. Since sherry is practically the only one of these wines still widely exported and consumed, "sack" (by itself, without qualifier) is commonly but not quite correctly quoted as an old synonym for sherry.
Most sack was probably sweet, and matured in wooden barrels for a limited time. In modern terms, typical sack may have resembled cheaper versions of medium Oloroso sherry.
Today, sack is sometimes seen included in the name of some sherries, such as the Williams & Humbert brand "Dry Sack".
Etymology
The Collins English Dictionary, the Chambers Dictionary, and the Oxford English Dictionary all derive the word "sack" from the French sec, meaning "dry". However, the OED cannot explain the change in the vowel, and it has been suggested by others that the term is actually from the Spanish word sacar, meaning "to withdraw", as in withdrawing wine from a solera, which led to sacas. The word "sack" is not attested before 1530.
Julian Jeffs writes: "The word sack (there are several spellings) probably originated at the end of the fifteenth century, and is almost certainly derived from the Spanish verb sacar ("to withdraw"). In the minutes of the Jerez town council for 1435, exports of wine were referred to as sacas."
Historical background
The Duke of Medina Sidonia abolished taxes on export of wine from Sanlúcar de Barrameda in 1491, allowing both Spanish and foreign ships. English merchants were given preferential treatment in 1517, and distinction was upheld between second-rate wines, so-called "Bastards", and first-rate wines which were known as "Rumneys" and "Sacks". Málaga, formerly in the Kingdom of Granada, also took to using the name sack for its wines, which were previously sold as "Garnacha".
This wine was similar to another wine known as malmsey, made from Malvasia grapes.
Literary references
Sack appears in several of Shakespeare's plays. John Falstaff, introduced in 1597, was fond of sack, and sometimes refers specifically to Sherris sack. In act 2, scene 2, of The Tempest, Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban get drunk on sack, a barrel of which had provided Stephano's escape from the shipwreck ("I escaped upon a butt of sack, which the sailors heaved o'erboard ..."). Shakespeare's minor character Christopher Sly, a drunkard and an object of a jest in The Taming of the Shrew, declares that he has "ne'er drunk sack in his life".
Robert Herrick wrote two comic poems in praise of sack, "His Farewell to Sack" and "The Welcome to Sack".
Ben Jonson's Inviting a Friend to Supper refers to "A pure cup of rich Canary wine, / Which is the Mermaid's now, but shall be mine".
The early Poets Laureate of England and the UK, such as Jonson and Dryden, received their salary, in part or in whole, in sack. Later laureates, including Pye and Tennyson, took cash in lieu of sack.
Samuel Pepys thought "Malago Sack ... was excellent wine, like a spirit rather than wine."
In the English fairy tale The Three Heads of the Well, upon leaving the kingdom the antagonist is given "sweetmeats, sugar, almonds, &c., in great quantities, and a large bottle of Malaga sack", in contrast to bread, hard cheese, and a bottle of beer given to the protagonist.
References
- ^ "Sack", Oxford Companion to Wine Archived 26 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- "Dry Sack Medium (Williams & Humbert)". SherryNotes. 13 February 2014.
- ^ Julian Jeffs, Sherry, p. 24; 1961/2004 (5th edition) ISBN 1-84000-923-3
- ^ Hugh Johnson, The Story of Wine, pp. 92–93; 1989/2005 "new illustrated edition" ISBN 1-84000-972-1
- Henry IV, Part 2 4.2/89–129, Folger Shakespeare Library
- The Tempest 2.2/125–126, Folger Shakespeare Library
- The Taming of the Shrew Induction 2/6, Folger Shakespeare Library
- "His Farewell to Sack by Robert Herrick". 10 May 2022.
- "Robert Herrick. The Welcome to Sack".
- "Monday 20 July 1663". The Diary of Samuel Pepys – via pepysdiary.com.
- English Fairy Tales, by Joseph Jacobs, 1890. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7439