86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Sample No. 5, marked Port, $8, is probably a much purer wine, and 

 really better than nine-tenths of that imported under the same name, and 

 ibr those who love a strong- wine of that character, and are not afraid to 

 look upon the wine " when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup," 

 this California Port will be an acquisition, as it will bear transportation 

 better than the light wines called Alizo, which compare with first class 

 Rhine wines, or the French Sauterne. 



No. 6 is a sparkling wine, marked $13, and is really a very excellent 

 sample of the kind we call Champagne; very far superior to much that is 

 sold as such in this market. It appears to have been well handled, is per- 

 fectly clear, and sufiSciently lively and sound, but requires age. 



Mr. Roberts. — It appears, from comparison, that the grapes grown in 

 California are not natives, but foreign varieties. 



Mr. Robinson. — The grapes are undoubtedly foreign varieties, introduced 

 by the early missionaries. 



Prof. Mapes. — I am very glad that these wines have been exhibited, and 

 that so many ladies and gentlemen have had an opportunity to taste wines 

 of American vineyards, that we have no reason to doubt are pure juice of 

 grapes, without addition of foreign materials; and I contend that nothing 

 is worthy of the name of wine, nor the attention of wine drinkers, that is 

 made drinkable by adding sugar, which, in its fermentation, produces 

 alcohol. These Alizo wines, particularly the one of the vintage of 1858, is 

 fully equal to the best Rhine wine or Sauterne. It is well worthy of the 

 attention of those in want of a light wine — pure fermented grape juice. 

 These are very sound, possessing just spirit enough to preserve them, and 

 have a fine, fruity flavor, with a little of that pleasant bitter taste, that 

 when once acquired is highly approved by those who use this class of 

 wines. In this I think the California gentleman decidedly successful. On 

 the contrary, the Angelica is a failure. It is too strong for a " ladies' 

 wine," and a bottle full of it contains I don't know how many headaches. 

 Besides, I do not think that the ladies of New York drink wine enough to 

 make it an object to manufacture sweet wines for their exclusive use; and, 

 as a general thing, the men are not fond of it. So this sample would not 

 find a good market here. The sample of Port bears a very fair comparison 

 witli the red Burgundy from the vicinity of Marseilles. It ranks between 

 Crie Port and Tinto Madeira, and is like the red Catalonia wine, and is 

 really a good sample of its class, and will no doubt meet with favor in this 

 market at the price it is offered for. It is a sound, pure wine, of good 

 body and flavor. Of this sample of sparkling wine I cannot speak too 

 highly, and I am satisfied that every one who has tasted it will fully 

 indorse what I say. It is a perfect success. It is well fined, fermented in 

 the bottle, is entirely clear and free from sediment, and is truly a good, 

 sound, dry wine — dry in opposition to tart, without being sweet. This 

 wine will suit the fashionable taste of the day. Still, I look upon the first 

 three samples, the Alizo, as the best and really true wines, as I understand 

 the term. 



These sentiments were unanimously approved, though John 0. Bergen 

 could not help calling to mind the fact that Solon Robinson had once intro- 

 duced some samples o^ wine which members smacked their lips over and 



