472 Journal of AgricuUiire. [ii July, 1910, 



is noticeable in connexion with the selection of sorts grown. The tendency 

 during the past twenty or thirty years has been to substitute for the choicer 

 but less prolific kinds formerly popular such heavy-bearing \ines as- 

 Aramon, Carignane, &c. 



The leading varieties may thus be divided into two groups, viz., heavy 

 bearers, and choicer sorts. Such a division cannot be looked upon as abso- 

 lute — between the extremes of either group are to be found intermediate 

 sorts. Again, the same \ariety which on rich alluvial soils can yield very 

 heavy crops of light Vin Ordinaire, may, on stony uplands, give a moderate 

 yield of superior wine. 



It is worthy of note that what are looked upon as choice varieties near 

 Montpellier, are very different from the choicer sorts of more northern 

 districts which we have so largely adopted in Victoria. 



According to Foex, the former group comprises Aramon, Petit Bouschet. 

 Carignane, Brun Fourca, and Calitor for red, and Terret Bourret for 

 white; whilst in the second group we find such red sorts as Cinsaut, (Eil- 

 lade, Aspiran, Piquepoul, and Terret, and for white wine the white and 

 pink varieties of Piquepoul and Aspiran. as well as Clarette, Picardan and 

 White Muscat. A few other sorts are also cultivated which may be con- 

 sidered to occupy an intermediate position between the two groups. These 

 are chiefly Grenache, Espar (or Mataro, as it is better known here), and 

 Morrastel, and Ugni Blanc for white wine. Jacquez, a direct producer 

 of American origin, also deserves mention, though the area planted with it 

 is steadily decreasing. 



Complete ampelographical descriptions of each of these varieties cannot 

 be given here. The following notes concerning the most important of 

 them, are limited to the part they play in the viticulture of Herault and. 

 their probable utility under conditions prevailing in this State. 



Aramon, syn. Ugni Noir, Burcliardf s Prince, Fontainehlcau (in West 

 Australia), &c. — This remarkable, black variety certainly occupies first place 

 among the vines of Herault. Its main characteristic is its fertility — it can pro- 

 bably claim to be the heaviest bearing variety in the world. In exceptionally 

 rich soils near Montpellier, yields of up to 3,500 gallons per acre have been 

 obtained from it ; whilst yields from 2,000 to 3,000 gallons are quite com 

 men. The correctness of these yields, which to an Australian appear extra- 

 ordinary, are proved beyond question. It responds, perhaps, better than 

 any other variety to soil fertility and heavy manuring, and is therefore 

 admirably suited for the production of enormous quantities of the light 

 type of wine so abundantly produced in the Midi. Aramon may, in fact. 

 be looked upon as the basis of Vin Ordinaire. 



On stony uplands this variety is also cultivated ; the yield diminishes 

 greatly, but quality increases. In spite of its extraordinary fertility the 

 tvine made from it is not devoid of quality, and even where the crop is 

 very heavy and the alcoholic strength correspondingly low (14 to 15 per 

 cent, proof), it is always well balanced, brisk, and agreeable ; whilst, on 

 poorer soils, it produces light wines of really excellent quality, of course 

 from a Vin Ordinaire standpoint. It would be no use for our present ex- 

 port trade. 



The vine is an exceedingly \igorous spreading grower with characteristic 

 large dark green three lobed or entire leaves (see photograph), reminding 

 one a good deal of the Sultana, though darker in colour and less glossy 

 It can be easily recognised towards vintage time by its long cylindrical 

 hunches, well filled with large berries and supported by a green stalk, the 

 tenderness of which is one of the characteristic features of the variety. 



