426 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



used in France, and is highly recommended by 

 those who have tried it. 



Bottles. Bottles should be made of glass 

 sufficiently tough to withstand considerable 

 pressure. The style is very much a matter of 

 taste. They should be thoroughly clean. Shot 

 are often used for cleaning ; but they are not 

 safe, as the lead washes off. Clean coarse sand 

 has been found to be equally good, and free 

 from objection. 



Color of Wines. The color of wines is in 

 some measure an index of certain properties, 

 but affords no indication of quality. The col 

 oring matter resides in and near the skin, and 

 consists of various extractive matters, which 

 impart flavor and characteristics that are prized 

 by some, but which are neither agreeable nor 

 wholesome to others. White wines have a 

 purity as well as an animation that never be 

 longs to the red. It should be observed that 

 high color is often used as a mask for adultera 

 tion. There is an unfounded prejudice in favor 

 of the quality of red wines that is largely taken 

 advantage of by makers. 



Wines are often colored with elderberries, 

 beets, Brazil wood, and other substances not 

 so innocent ; but the best color is the nat- 



