A Treatise on the Origin, Nature, and Varieties of Wine; Being a Complete Manual of Viticulture and Oenology (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ...into effervescent wine. This vine is identical with that which in our account of the Wiirtzburg district we have described under the name of Hermitage. In Germany it is known under the name of white Muscat Sylvaner. We remark, however, that we have found several vines in Picardy and Limoux, and other parts of France, which were termed Clairette or Blanquette, and which were similar to, but not quite identical with, each other. Threefourths of the vines of Rivesaltes are Carignane. This variety, together with the Mataro, gives body and colour to the wines of these parts. The Grenache added in small quantity gives softness and liveliness to the wine; but in general all the Grenache grapes are selected, and the so-called sweet black Roussillons are made of it. The plantation and treatment of the vine, and the making of the wine, are the same as at Collioure. Many of the wines go to America. In the first year they fetch 12 francs the hectolitre, in the fifth year from 25 to 30 francs. Their value is not more than 100 francs at from ten to thirty years old. It is, however, unlikely that in the present state of the science of mixing and manufacturing wines, and at the present price, any considerable quantity should attain that age. Rivesaltes makes what is called specialities which have a limited reputation. Such are the Muscat, the Maccabeo, the Malvoisie, the Grenache, and the Rancio. Of the Muscat wine at Rivesaltes about 300 hectolitres are made. They are the produce of a special variety of vine called the Muscat of Rivesaltes. The Maccabeo is also a special variety of vine, and produces about 60 hectolitres of wine which bears its name. The Malvoisie is a vine with small leaves, which are nearly round, and have the five lobes only slightly...