Note E252 — 43.
Reading edition
"Sops-in-Wine," the Clove Gilliflower, Dianthus caryophyllus, L., so called from the flowers being used to flavour wine or ale. Cf. Chaucer's Rime of Sir Thopas, B. 1950:
"Ther springen herbes grete and smale, The lycorys and cetewale, And many a clowe gilofre, And notemuge to putte in ale, Whether it be moyste or stale."
"Bring Coronations and Sops in wine worne of Paramoures." —-Spenser, Shep. Cal. April.
"Garlands of Roses and Sopps in Wine."—Ibid. May. E. K., in his Glossary, says: "Sops in Wine, a flowre in colour much like a coronation (carnation), but differing in smel and quantitye."