promontory exposed to the North and West at the confluence of the 

 Bodrog and Thibisk. There are fat soils, entirely clear of pebbles or 

 gravel stones, which can be made to yield very good wine ; such as 

 the home-made wines of Bdlai, in the department of Maine and Loire, 

 v.'Iiich are generous, strong, finely flavoured, and preferable to those 

 from the stony knolls in the same department. But notwithstanding 

 this, fat soils and rich loams are not a proper choice ; experience has 

 taught us, that the excellence of the wine does not depend on the 

 luxuriance of the plant ; and that dry, light earths should be reserved 

 for it. 



Calcarious earths, especially those of a chalky formation, give a 

 magnificent crop to the Vine, and the wines are very pure, light and 

 inviting. Such are the Vineyards of the Marne, the Cher, the Creuse ; 

 tliose of the Crouds, (Loire and Charente.) The growth is very 

 slow, it is true, but once well rooted, the advantage is foimd in the 

 long run. The more drj', arid, light, and imfit for other crops is the 

 calcarious soil, the better it turns out for the Vine. The water with 

 wliich it becomes impregnated at intervals, circulates and penetrates 

 freely through the stratum ; the innumerable ramifications of the 

 roots imbibe it at every pore ; the culture is easy, so thrifty is ever}' 

 stock ; and the wine produced is lively. 



Earths composed of mouldering granite, the disintegrated parts of 

 which are nearly reduced into a friable sand, furnish -vvines fine 

 coloured, full of zest, and spirit, and of an aromatic flavour, very 

 agreeable. Such are the Vineyards of Mans, Eeaune, ReaucouUe ; of 

 Muret and Bessas* (township of Tain, department de la Drome ;) of 

 Cote-Rotic (department du Rhone.) of MouUn-a-Vent, (township of 

 Romaneche, department of Saone and Loire) ; those of Rochemaure, 

 department of Ardeche ; and those of the shores of the Rhine. 



Strong, stiff, or clayey loams are not at all fitted for the Vine ; they 

 do not allow the roots to spread and ramify sufficiently; besides which, 

 the constancy with which the layers of this compact earth are satu- 

 rated with wet, and retain moisture, keeps up, around the roots, a 

 permanent humidity, which rots their fibre, and is soon fatal to the 

 slip. 



Volcanic grounds, and soils of mouldering tufo and basalt, are fa- 

 mous for delicious wines ; they ofier an intimate mixture of every earthy 

 principle ; and their semi-vitrified particles, decomposed by the com- 

 bined action of the air and water, afibrd all the essentials of a brill- 



*More orenerally known by the name of Hermitage wine; Fin dc 



V Hermitage 



