184 AGRICULTURE OX THE RHINE. 



ment is, however, not precisely ascertained. The second 

 peculiarly consists in its being possible to train the vines 

 on the good sites much higher than can be done in the 

 valley of the Rhine ; the angle of the slope being sharp 

 enough to reflect heat to the plant at a greater elevation. 



The grapes usually cultivated are such as ripen earliest, 

 the climate not favouring a late vintage, except on the 

 best sites and soils. The Kleinberg grape is the most 

 common on the Moselle. This species gives abundance 

 of fruit, sweet but without fine flavour, and ripens in the 

 beginnhig of October. The Riesling, of which the finest 

 hock wines are made, is only found in the choicest vine- 

 }'ards at Brauneberg, Piesport, and Zeltingen. The 

 Riesling ripens towards the close of October, but can 

 only be used in warm seasons. In unfavourable summers 

 it gives no return. Hence the quantity of the fine Mo- 

 selle wines that is grown is very limited. Scharzberg, 

 Brauneberg, Piesport, and Zeltingen must not be judged 

 of by the light wines sold under those names at tables 

 d'hote, or by the still lighter that are daily recommended 

 by travelling agents. The choice Moselle growths are 

 rich but delicate wines, and are very expensive on the 

 spot where they are produced. The Kleinberg wines are 

 usually those which are distinguished by mildness and 

 absence of acidity when young. They do not keep so 

 well, nor can they be in any way ranked with the juice 

 of the riesling grape. At Piesport and Zeltingen a good 

 deal of red wine is made. 



The wine made by the peasants is treated nearly in the 

 same manner on the Moselle as on the Rhine. The grapes 

 are not allowed to hang so long as in the choice vine- 

 yards, and after they are trodden or stamped with a 



