94 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



deal of limestone. At the top (an elevation of two to 

 three hundred feet) there is but little soil, the red rock 

 projecting in many places. The vineyards commence 

 nearly at the top, where the soil is reddest, and where 

 the richest wines are produced from the small black 

 Pineau Grape. The middle range of the hills is planted 

 with the Black Gamai, larger and more prolific, but yield-, 

 ing an inferior wine. Third-class vineyards are planted 

 down to the foot, and extending into the plain, producing 

 abundantly, but giving only ordinary wine. The hills on 

 both sides of the River Marne are planted ; but the sides 

 looking due south are classed differently from those look- 

 ing north. The south slopes include such distinguished 

 vineyards as Hautvilliers, Disy, and Aix ; while the equally 

 famous Epernay, Moussy, and Vinay are on the opposite 

 bank, looking north. The Mountain of Rheims, though 

 in the north of France, is planted on its northern as much 

 as on its southern slope ; the soil being a limestone and 

 chalk formation, with a thin covering of vegetable matter. 

 Among the Pyrenees, the vineyards are extended half-way 

 up the highest mountains. In a comparison of French 

 and Hungarian wines, M. de Szemere writes as follows : 

 "In Hungary the old system prevails, under which the 

 quality is the principal object in view, and under which 



