AGRICULTURE OX THE RHINE. 199 



hausen, and of all the growths the best and choicest are 

 to be found at Eberbach. In going through the whole 

 for the course of the last forty years it is interesting to 

 see how the palm was successively borne away by each. 

 Thus, in 1822 it was Johannisberg, in 1819 Steinberg, 

 in 1825 Hochheim, in 1829 Riidesheim, in 1834 Stein- 

 berg again, that excelled. We were fortunate enough 

 to taste the delicious cask of Hochheim, 1825, which 

 from its smoothness, with surpassing bouquet, was 

 christened " the Bride." It was sold in the present 

 year for 12,500 florins, having, in the opinion of judges, 

 reached its acme of perfection. We ventured on that 

 occasion to name the Riidesheim, 1829, in which the 

 fire of the Orleans grape was perceptible, with little 

 inferior bouquet to the former, *' the Bridegroom." But 

 we fear we have dwelt too long upon the details re- 

 specting wines ; all correct descriptions of which can- 

 not but appear exaggerated to those who have no oppor- 

 tunity of convincing themselves of the truth of what we 

 asserted some pages back — that if the Rhenish is the 

 dearest, it is beyond all dispute the finest wine that is 

 made. 



From Eberbach the road joins the high road again 

 near Hattenheim, adjoining which lie the Marcosbrunn 

 vineyards, much nearer to the Rhine than the Steinberg, 

 and with southern exposure. The Duke of Nassau, 

 Count Schonborn, and a few private owners, possess all 

 the upper, that is to say, the best sites. In the cellars 

 of M. Heymes at Hattenheim, and of Dr. Griife at 

 Eltville, a few miles farther on, strangers may again see 

 the extensive arrangements and cellarage which private 



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