CENTURIES-OLD AROMA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 6

CENTURIES-OLD AROMA

THE WINE OF HENRY VIII King Henry VIII.’s “Newe Wyne Seller” beneath the Great Watching Tower at Hampton Court Palace attracts many visitors. The cellar was excavated during last winter and was later opened to the public. Peopl- stream through the door in the cloisters into the cool cellar, which bluff King Hal kept stocked with wine, “having new barrels brought in every day and empties taken away.” They walk between the benchings on which used to stand the wine, and see near the various pillars which support the groined roof pieces of worm-eaten wood —the remains of the stillages upon which the barrels actually rested.

In one corner is a door and some steps leading to the “Drynkynge House,” and in another is a door leading to King Henry’s “Newe Bere Seller.” These two places will be cleared and-opened to the public later.

One can still scent the wine which filled this cool cellar 300 years ago.

The famous avenue of chestnut trees was a gorgeous sight on Chestnut Sunday. The sunny May weather had brought out the blooms a week in advance of time. They were heavy with pink and white blossom which showered down on the sightseers who walked beneath them. The palace grounds were more beautiful with lilac, laburnum, rhododendrons and bluebells than is usual so early in the year.