34 THE VINE AND CIVILISATION. 
vineyards at 108 millions of dollars. The quantity of wine pro- 
duced in a year 912 millions of gallons, or about 180 gallons 
per acre, worth on an average about thirteen cents per gallon. 
Subsequent calculations give an average of 514 gallons to each 
hectar of land (2,45 acres). 
‘‘The department of the Gironde, in which Bordeaux is 
situated, has about 350,000 acres in vineyards, and produces 
the celebrated Claret wines of the highest order; in favourable 
years the production will amount to 75 millions of gallons, 
five-eighths of red, and three-eighths of white wine. This dis- 
trict is called the Medoc, and the wines are so designated. 
‘‘The proprietors of the vineyards of the Medoc are more 
or less opulent, according to the value of the wines their lands 
produce. Their residences at the vineyards are called Chateau 
or Palace, and the wines produced are known by the names of 
the Chateaus. 
‘‘Among the numerous chateaus at Medoc that produce the 
fine wines, there are three that, from their superiority, are de- 
nominated the Three Kings —the three deities of the world — 
Chateau Lafitte, Chateau Margaux, and Chateau La Tour. 
Monarchs are often dethroned by usurpers, but these three, 
by universal assent, reign supreme —without rivals —their 
superiority only varying by some seasons proving more fayour- 
able than others. 
‘* The vines producing these wines are only grown in limited 
spots in the district of Medoc. 
FRANCE — MEDOC, 
‘* Medoc, containing some of the most precious vineyards of 
the world, is the tongue of land stretching between the sea on 
one hand and the Garonne and the Gironde on the other. The 
