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far inland are, as a rule, more liable to suffer from spring frosts, 

 although producing a stronger wine than places near the coast, 

 where the variations in temperature are not so great. 



The proximity to high mountain ranges renders the climate cooler 

 and moister than it would otherwise be. The effect of prevailing 

 winds varies according as to whether they have passed over the 

 sea or over a heated continent, or, in other words, whether they 

 are dry or moist. 



From all this it will be seen that it is impossible to lay down 

 any simple rules which would enable a man to say, for example, 

 " the climate of my vineyard is identical with that of Bordeaux." Only 

 complete meteorological observations can enable such a thing to be 

 said with any approach to certainty. 



For the purposes of this work, it will be very convenient for us 

 to roughly divide the colony into three climatic regions or divisions 

 as far as viticulture is concerned. These regions would be as 

 follows : 



First, or cool region. This would embrace the greater part of 

 the colony situated on the coast side of the Dividing Range, and 

 would be very similar to the best wine-growing districts of France, 

 such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, &c., and from similarity 

 of climate would be solely but eminently suited for the production 

 of light wines of similar character to those made in the above 

 districts. 



Second, or intermediate region, comprising the greater part of the 

 central districts of Victoria, the climate of which is similar to that 

 of the south of France or north of Italy. Sandhurst, Great Western, 

 and similar wine-producing districts would come within this region, 

 which would be admirably suited for the production of good com- 

 mercial wines, and capable of producing either strong or light wines, 

 according to the sorts grown and methods of cultivation. 



Third, or warm region', where the climate is similar to that of Spain, 

 Portugal, or Sicily, and therefore best suited for the production of 

 strong wines, although by careful culture and selection of soil and 

 varieties moderately light wines may be produced. Rutherglen, 

 Mildura, and most places situated in the northern and north-western 

 parts of the colony would be comprised in this region which is the 

 one where the best results would be obtained from the employment of 

 irrigation. 



