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Why does my wine label read 'contains fish'?

Richard Cornish
Richard Cornish

What does a protein derived from fish bladders have to do with wine?
What does a protein derived from fish bladders have to do with wine?iStock

Why does my wine label read "contains fish"? D. Arkin

Winemakers have a raft of processing aids they can use to make wine. They might use a tannin derived from the wood of a nut tree so will need to write "contains nuts" on the label. Egg whites are used for clarifying wine, as is isinglass, a protein derived from the swim bladder of a fish. It acts like a net that collects small particles as it slowly drifts down to the bottom of the barrel or tank, where it is removed from the wine. It leaves no fishy flavour or aroma but removes the cloudiness from the wine.

Where can I buy Irn-Bru? G. Flett

You are, of course, referring to the appalling Scottish soft drink that is bright orange in colour and tastes like one has been sucking on rusty train tracks. When I lived in Edinburgh, a bar down Leith Walk called the Volunteer Arms was frequented by old seamen and retired prostitutes, and served vodka and Irn-Bru for 70 pence a glass. It was always busy. The drink gets its metallic taste from the addition of the chemical ammonium ferric citrate. Irn-Bru is available online at both the major supermarkets.

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Why is port traditionally passed to the left? V. Cooper

A small group of irreligious reprobates with whom I went to school would voluntarily attend Friday afternoon church services held in the school hall. They did this not only to get out of history class but because the vicar used port from Rutherglen as his communion wine. Apparently, in some formal dining situations, such as gentlemen's clubs, the decanter of port must be first offered to the guest of honour seated to the right of the host, then passed to the left in a clockwise direction. If the person to the right fails to pass the port it is rude to ask for it. Instead, one says to the person holding on to the port, "Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?". If they then don't pass the port, one should then say, "He's a terribly good chap, but he always forgets to pass the port." According to Taylor's, a Portugal-based manufacturer of port, passing port to the left is part of an English naval tradition that allowed men of war to take a drink but keep their sword hand free because – as we all know – dinner parties can be very dangerous.

Letters

Recently reader V. Joubert wrote in regarding a pork allergy. Many readers responded with suggestions for substitutes. S. Marnie, wrote that beef bacon from Pino's Dolce Vita in Kogarah, NSW was "actually an acceptable substitute". In Melbourne, M. Faine wrote that the Continental Kosher Butchers in Malvern "make a really acceptable selection of non-pork smallgoods including lap cheong, saucisson sec, chorizo et cetera. Don't ask me how they know what they are supposed to taste like but they are pretty authentic". Thanks to you all.

Send your vexing culinary conundrums to brainfood@richardcornish.com.au or tweet to @FoodCornish

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Richard CornishRichard Cornish writes about food, drinks and producers for Good Food.

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