aO EXPOSITION. 



The middle part of the hills, as has been noticed, yield in 

 all cases the best wine, because the grapes ripen there better"; 

 and it has been constantly remarked that those on the most 

 elevated and on the lowest part ripen latest, the former because 

 they are exposed to the winds, and the latter because their 

 roots are in a more humid situation, and they grow more vi- 

 gorously. The skirts of hills and slopes gradually swelling 

 from a plain are suitable positions for vineyards. 



Narrow vales, ravines, and dells, through which a stream of 

 water flows, are not good locations for vines on account of the 

 winds and currents of cold air prevalent in such places, and 

 the damp, fog, and mists arising from evaporation. It is not 

 to be understood that vines will not succeed in the vicinity of 

 a stream of running water, for the contrary opinion has been 

 already advanced ; but that such streams are disadvantageous 

 only when the vineyards are located too near them in the 

 colder latitudes, or when in such or more southern climates 

 the location is so contracted as not to admit of a free and 

 open action to the air, as well as to the solar rays : the vine- 

 yards on the Rhone, Gironde, and Marne bear witness to the 

 strength of these arguments. 



Although heat is absolutely necessary to ripen and to give 

 sweetness and flavour to the grape, it would be erroneous to 

 suppose that by its sole influence it can produce all the effects 

 desirable. We can only consider it as an agent necessary in 

 the elaboration, which presupposes that the earth supplies the 

 juices which are requisite in the operation. Heat is a necessary 

 agent ; but it is not to be supposed that its influence may be 

 exercised upon a parched soil, for in this case it burns rather 

 than vivifies. 



We sometimes witness in the burning climates of the south, 

 that the natural heat of the sun, seconded by the effect of re- 

 verberation from certain rocks or particular soils, parches up 

 the grapes which are there exposed to its power. The flourish- 

 ing condition of a vine, and the good quality of the grape, 

 depend therefore upon a proportionate influence and upon a 



