WINE- MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 145 



It ripens late, about the middle of October in Napa, and 

 would therefore not be suited to northern localities, while 

 well adapted further south. 



These are all high quality grapes, most of them very abun- 

 dant bearers and will certainly afford choice enough in white 

 wines for any vineyard. There are of couse many others, 

 which are very promising, but most of them have not been 

 sufficiently tried to recommend them. I will add to these a 

 few varieties of not as high quality, but very productive, and 

 which may be advantageous to blend with some of the fore- 



Chasselas Fontaineblean. Synonyms, Golden Chasselas, 

 Sweetwater, Gutedel. This grape has been successful nearly 

 everywhere, is a good and regular bearer, and makes a very 

 fair wine, although not of very high character. It is one of 

 those vines which will not disappoint the planter, and which 

 can be much improved by blending with higher grade varie- 

 ties such as Marsanne, Green Hungarian and Traminer. 

 Vine a strong but slender grower, which will bear well with 

 short or long pruning, low or high stakes. Wood brown, 

 long jointed, slender; leaf thin, deeply lobed, bright green, 

 ends of shoots and young leaves brownish green. Bunch 

 medium, compact, shouldered; berry medium, round, yel- 

 low, transparent, of a peculiar crackling firmness, juicy, 

 .sweet, but without any very high character. Ripens early, 

 about the middle of September here, and is also one of the 

 earliest market grapes. 



Chasselas Violet. Synonym, Koenigs Gutedel, Violet Chas- 

 selas. This is a grape of higher character than the preced- 

 ing, but must be pressed soon after crushing, or the color of 

 the wine will be too dark, turning a reddish yellow tinge. 

 Also a very reliable bearer. Vine a strong, long jointed 

 :grower, wood dark brown, with a violet tinge; leaf thin, dark 

 .brownish green, deeply lobed, young growth brownish. 



