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after in the colonial market than dry, strong wines. They are often 

 of excellent quality when made in certain privileged situations, but 

 their production ought not to be encouraged. 



Red wines are in greater demand than white, although wines of 

 the type of Chablis or Hock meet wiih a ready sale. In short the 

 wine the future grower will find the most profitable to make is a dry 

 red wine the lighter the better. As for producing what is commonly 

 called a claret, it will not do to imitate what one is in the habit of 

 tasting as such. It must be remembered that only a small proportion 

 of what comes out here as French wine was ever grown in France at 

 all. Wines of a delicate character, liable to be mistaken by true 

 connoisseurs for the celebrated wines of France and Germany, such as 

 Bordeaux, Burgundies, Hocks, &c., can only be produced in the first 

 or cool region of the colony. The second region is capable of pro- 

 ducing excellent wines of a somewhat stronger description, but which 

 are still light wines, provided proper care be observed in the selec- 

 tion of sorts. Whilst the third is best adapted for the production of 

 good commercial or blending wines, but in greater abundance, as well 

 as some high-class strong wines. In France it is only the central 

 portions which produce Clarets, Burgundies, and other light wines ; 

 no wines in the south of France or any part of Spain, Portugal, 

 or Italy are similar to a first-class Bordeaux. It is a surprising thing 

 that the first region of Victoria, which is so very favorably situated 

 for the production of light wines, and in which it is not impossible 

 that some privileged spots may be found capable of producing wines 

 equal to the celebrated Chateau Latour, Margaux,' and Lafitte of 

 Bordeaux, has been so greatly neglected by persons devoting them- 

 selves to viticulture. The greater part of north-eastern Gippsland 

 comes within this region, yet there are not twenty acres of this vast 

 district planted with vines. 



This is a word of advice en passant to any one who has not as yet 

 decided in which district to plant. The greater number of persons 

 have already purchased the land, and wish to know if it be suitable 

 for viticulture or not. It is unnecessary to say that the most reliable 

 information in this direction will be given by the vine itself, and 

 intending planters cannot do better than study the established vine- 

 yards in the district, and ascertain from the owners the advantages or 

 disadvantages they labour under. 



