GRAPE REGIONS AND THEIR DETERMINANTS 21 



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portant areas of vineyards, making this the third most im- 

 portant grape region in America. The region assumes further 

 importance because most of the champagne made in America 

 is produced here, and it is the chief center of still wines in east- 

 ern America as well. It is further distinguished by its dis- 

 tinctive types of grapes, Catawba and Delaware taking the 

 place of Concord and Niagara, the sorts that usually pre- 

 dominate in eastern grape regions. 



The main body of this region lies on the steep slopes of the 

 high lands surrounding Keuka Lake. On the shores of this 

 lake there are, approximately, 15,000 acres of grapes. Ad- 

 jacent to this main body are several smaller bodies about the 

 neighboring lakes. Thus, at the head of Canandaigua Lake 

 and on its shores are about 2500 acres; near Seneca and be- 

 tween Seneca and Cayuga Lakes there are probably 1500 acres 

 more. In a few specially favored places on other of these Cen- 

 tral Lakes, there are possibly 1000 acres, making all told for 

 this region, about 20,000 acres. Again it is climate that sets 

 the seal of approval on the region for viticulture. In addition 

 to the benefits of deep bodies of water, high and sloping 

 lands cause the frosts to cease early in the spring and hold 

 them in abeyance in the autumn, giving an exceptionally long 

 season. 



Champagne-making began here about 1860 ; at present there 

 are a score or more manufacturers of champagne, wine and 

 brandy, the output being annually about 3,000,000 gallons of 

 wine and 2,000,000 bottles of champagne. Recently the 

 manufacture of grape- juice has begun and the industry is now 

 flourishing. 



Minor grape regions. 



Viticulture is commercially important in several other regions 

 than those outlined. Thus, in the valley of the Hudson River, 

 grapes have been grown commercially for nearly a hundred 



