E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Beeswing.
The film which forms on the sides of a bottle of good old port. This film, broken up into small pieces, looks like the wings of bees. A port drinker is very particular not to “break the beeswing” by shaking the bottle, or turning it the wrong way up.
1
Beeswinged port is old port which has formed its second crust or beeswing.
