BULLETIN 193. THE B EST WINE GRAPES FOR CALIFORNIA. 143 



with short pruning. The dry red wine made from it has been in every 

 way satisfactory and much superior to that made from Bouschet, Zin- 

 fandel, or any of the varieties usually grown in the valley, and 

 approaches more nearly than any other variety the wines of the cooler 

 localities. This variety has been planted to some extent in the cooler 

 localities, where it is completely out of place. In Napa its bearing is 

 unsatisfactory and its wine harsh. The vine needs a hot climate to 

 bring out its best qualities. The Lagrain and St. Macaire are valuable 

 on account of their intense color, which at Tulare is equal to that of the 

 Bouschets and is more stable. The St. Macaire is particularly recom- 

 mended on account of its high acidity, which is extremely useful for 

 the region. The Gros Mansenc retains its acid even better than the 

 St. Macaire, and is also deeply colored, but it has not borne quite so well. 

 The Burger has, fortunately, been planted extensively in the hotter 

 parts of the interior, and probably no better choice could be made for 

 the production of a cheap, light, neutral dry white wine in that region. 

 Its acidity, which is excessive in the coast counties, is normal or even 

 low in the interior. For this reason, and in order to give a little more 

 character, it should be blended with such grapes as the West's White 

 Prolific and the Vernaccia Sarda, which retain their acidity at Tulare 

 better than any other white grapes tested. 



3. Vineyard for Dry Wine in the Coast Counties. 



RED. Proportion. WHITE. Proportion. 



Petite Sirah Semillon 



Beclan. .._.. | Colombar 



Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon blanc 



The conditions of soil and climate in the hills and valleys of the 

 Coast Ranges are so varied that it is much more difficult to give recom- 

 mendations that will be of general use than in the case of the interior 

 valleys. In some parts of some of the valleys the soil is so rich and 

 productive that it is possible to grow grapes as cheaply as in the 

 interior. The grapes recommended for the interior, however, would not 

 in most cases be suitable on the Coast, owing to the difference in climate. 

 As a rule, the grapes which are suitable to the hill slopes will do well in 

 the valley, making up in quantity what they lose in quality. 



Of the many scores of red varieties which have been widely grown in 

 this region, the Petite Sirah has undoubtedly given the most generally 

 satisfactory results. Some growers are dissatisfied with its bearing, 

 but most report that it produces as much as the Zinfandel. Ungrafted, 

 it requires long pruning. Its wine is of excellent quality, but apt to 

 be somewhat harsh. This harshness can be avoided by careful wine- 

 making and by blending with a smooth variety such as the Beclan. 

 The finest red wines which have ever been made in California are the 

 product of the Cabernet Sauvignon. This variety, unfortunately, has 



