CHAPTER V. 



Bordeaux and Epernay in 1868 — An Incident at Chambord — 

 Messrs. Nathaniel Johnstone : their Vineyards at Dausac — The 

 Manufacture of Claret — Mr. Moet's Vineyards at Epernay — 

 The Manufacture of Champagne — National Tastes in Wine 

 — Longevity — " Ways and Cleans " Lowndes. 



Having some spare time at my disposal after harvest 

 in the year 1868, I determined to pay a long-contem- 

 plated visit to the wine districts of France, especially 

 the claret and champagne countries, and in the second 

 week of September started with two young friends on a 

 tour of inspection. Our travels were more prolonged 

 than we had intended, as the vintage was not yet in full 

 swing; but I shall not weary my readers with any 

 description of them. At Chambord, I remember, after 

 lingering some time in the splendid chateau, we pro- 

 ceeded to a small hotel in its neighbourhood, and, 

 ordering a bottle of champagne and some light repast, 

 we went into a room, where two well-dressed country- 

 men were seated. The smart, pretty-looking girl who 

 brought in our wine, pointed to a moderately-executed 

 engraving hanging on the wall, and said, " Messieurs, 

 voila le Comte dc Chambord." I said, " Oui, le roi 

 de France — Henri V." The two men, jumping up. 



