SOIL, SITUATION AND ASPECT. 39 



is usually veiy deep and ricli, producing a vigorous 

 though succulent growth which is unable to with- 

 stand the influences above detailed. All experience 

 bears out the practical value of these principles. 

 Thus, in Italy, where the country is undulating and 

 very much broken, all good wines are grown on the 

 hill-sides. Hence Yirgil tells us 



" denique apertos 



Bacchus amat colles,"* 



and modern experience bears out the ancient saw, 

 though it does not follow, however, that plains will not 

 produce good wine-making grapes, provided they be of 

 sufficient extent to obviate the evils just described. 

 The fine wines of the Gironde in France, and Chataux 

 Margaux, Lafitte and Latour, are grown on the plains. 



Aspect — ^Exposure. — ^The aspect which is best 

 adapted to the growth of grapes will, of course, depend 

 upon influences, some of which at least, are liable to 

 vary, as the keenest and most destructive winds may 

 come from different quarters in different places — a 

 very slight geographical change sometimes making 



* The force of this saying is lost by adopting Mr. Bedding's trans- 

 lation " Bacchus loves the hills." Davidson gives the whole, " Bacchus 

 loves the open hills" — which is better. But the true meaning 

 " Bacclms loves the open httle hills" coincides perfectly with expe- 

 rience and with the principles above set forth. 



