State Agricultural Society. 509 



qualities claimed for the Mission'; some of them in a higher degree. 

 Thus in some localities it is more certain and more prolific. It ripens 

 earlier. Made into white wine it has thus far promised well, while its 

 red wine is better colored and of more agreeable flavor. Mixed with 

 Mission for red wine, the last named is decidedly improved. 



Zinfindal — a black grape of heavy product, standing among the very 

 first in this respect. The two prominent excellences of its wine are tart- 

 ness and a peculiar and delightful flavor resembling the raspberry — a 

 flavor which the palate persistently relishes. Mixed with the Mission, 

 it favors fermentation and improves its color and aroma. Even when 

 mixed in moderate proportions in ferruginous soils it is par excellence 

 our red wine grape, the one which w r e confidently hope to contend suc- 

 cessfully for the place in public esteem now worthily occupied by the 

 skilled vintages of France. Those planting vines on suitable sites, in 

 soils rich in iron, cannot go far astray in planting ever so largely of this 

 variety, for its white wine is also of superior quality. What other grape 

 have we uniting abundant product and abundant flavor? The color of 

 its red Avine, too, is striking, not unlike the famous Montepulchaiue. 

 One objection to it should not be omitted mention of ; its liability to sun- 

 blast in certain localities. It would not be safe to plant it too freely 

 where the Hamburg cannot succeed; but even then there is a partial 

 compensation in a generous second crop. The second crop of Zinfindals 

 is, as a rule, large, and unlike the second crop of most other grapes, and 

 well worth gathering. It makes a wine of lighter color and body; but 

 the flavor is scarcely inferior to that of the first crop. 



The Bose of Peru is of hardy growth and prolific, not so succulent as 

 the preceding, the wine product is in less proportion. Its wine is not 

 well known. Some assert that it has made port wine of best promise. 

 The Black Hamburg was extensively planted a few years ago, but now 

 neglected chiefly from its liability to sunblast. It is probably an infe- 

 rior wine grape to the Black Malvoisie, besides being more uncertain. 



Of white grapes, the Golden Chasselas, with its multitudinous syno- 

 nyms, is entitled to a conspicuous place. It has a hardy stock, bears 

 abundantly and ripens early. The wine is smooth and rather light, 

 without a characteristic flavor. 



The Berger, called Caveilac by the French, is a white grape, ripeuing 

 late and a very heavy bearer. Wine light and tart — an admirable 

 adjunct to the Mission to promote its fermentation, reduce its body, and 

 communicate tartness. It is perhaps the latest bearer among our wine 

 grapes, unless we include the Queen of Nice, or AVdiite Nice, which like- 

 wise makes a light, tart wine resembling the white vin ordinaire which 

 the lowest on the Ehine has served to him in the wine shops. 



The Finer Zagos, a certain and good bearer, with more sugar and less 

 tartaric acid than the above. The wine is smooth and delicate. 



The Chasselas family (not including the so-called Golden or German 

 Chasselas), of which the Chasselas Fontainbleau, Bose Chasselas and 

 Barbaroux are prominent members, ripen among the earliest and bear 

 well. Wine smooth, light, and keeps well, without characteristic flavor. 

 The vines sucker badly and require pruning with long spurs. 



We now approach varieties entitled to a first consideration, if we 

 were in search of the quality of the product without regard to the cost 

 of the production. Bromiuent among these are the Beislings. The 

 wines made from them in California, though of less excellence than the 



U 



