72 



Second Region. 



This is, perhaps, the region in which the greatest facilities are 

 offered to the grower, he having few of the drawbacks which are to 

 be met with in the cool region to contend with. The vine growing in 

 a more luxurious manner enables larger crops to be obtained from 

 vines planted farther apart. The wine, however, although in many 

 cases excellent, is of a rather different character, and not so delicate 

 as that of the last region. It is, if anything, too strong; so, in selecting 

 a site, unless with a view of making liqueur wines, raisins, or currants, 

 the chief preoccupation of the intending planter must be to aim at 

 diminishing the percentage of alcohol. The most favorable aspect for 

 this purpose will be S.E., or W. Level ground, with sufficient 

 slope to allow surplus water to drain off, will give very good results. 

 A sandy soil should also be sought for ; wines in such soils being 

 considerably lighter than those grown in stiffer ones. Limestone soils 

 should be reserved for the production of strong wines, and should 

 be avoided for the production of those of lighter character. In 

 this region several of the sorts mentioned above will give excellent 

 results in the same descriptions of soil as suits them in the 

 first region. These are Aucarot, Pulsart, Shiraz (Red Hermitage), 

 Gamay, Roussanne, Riesling, Merlot, Verdot, and Malbeck. The 

 latter gives excellent results, being far less liable to set badly 

 than in the cooler part. These sorts should not be planted 

 exclusively in a vineyard, as the wine made from them would 

 be too strong; they should be used to give bouquet and 

 other qualities to the wine, whilst other sorts producing lighter 

 wine form the! basis of the vineyard, of these several will thrive 

 in any soil. They are the Dolcetto, Black Hambro, Black Prince, 

 Black St. Peter, Mataro, Morrastel, and Carignane, whilst a 

 certain 'percentage of juice of La Folle grapes would greatly improve 

 the quality. The Oeillade and Grenache may be added to this 

 number ; they give the best results in schistose and granitic soils. 

 For dry white wines the sorts to be recommended are Riesling, 

 Chasselas, Doradillo, and Tokay, although the latter does not give 

 such satisfactory results as in the first region. To these may be 

 added the Sweet Water, which produces large crops of good light 

 wine well adapted for reducing the strength of the other wines. 



