30 



EUROPEAN VINES. 



These are very numerous, and embrace over a thousand sorts, 

 all of which belong to the species Vitis Vinifera, many of which, 

 fortunately, need not be mentioned here. 



We shall confine ourselves to those which are usually cultivated 

 in Australia, as well as a few which might be adopted with excellent 

 results, according to circumstances, for wine-making purposes, 

 without mentioning the numerous table grapes, as they come more 

 strictly under the domain of horticulture. 



The most usual synonyms of each are given, but it must be 

 borne in mind that the classification of the different sorts is by no 

 means easy. Authorities on the subject often hold very different 

 opinions as to the identity or otherwise of sorts called by different 

 or even by the same name in different districts in Europe. 



With regard to the time of ripening of the fruit, we have adopted 

 Pulliafs system of dividing the time of ripening of all grapes 

 into three periods. The different sorts ripen during one or other of 

 these. 



Sorts marked * are those already extensively cultivated in Victoria; 

 those marked j" have with certainty been introduced into the colony, 

 but are not extensively cultivated. 



f Aramon. Synonyms : Buchardfs Prince, Ugni Noir, Re- 



vala'ire, Okors zem Kek, &c. 



Although only a common red variety it was very extensively 

 cultivated in the south of France before the invasion of the phyl- 

 loxera, on account of its great prolificacy. Foex estimates its 

 average crop at about IjOOO gallons per acre, and states that it has 

 been known to produce 3,500 gallons per acre. It makes up for its 

 great bearing capabilities by only yielding an ordinary wine, especially 

 if the soil be rich and the crop heavy. 



In the third or warm region of Victoria it would prove a valuable 

 sort ; its wine, being light, would be very suitable for blending with 

 other sorts, with the object of producing a good commercial wine. 

 It comes into leaf early, and is, therefore, liable to suffer from late 

 frosts. It ripens in the third period, and its thin skin makes the 

 berries liable to rot in a moist climate. 



