VINES IN THE OPEN AIR. 
389 
Charles Hamilton, on the south side of a gravelly, sandy hill (near 
Cobham). First two sorts of Burgundy were planted, and the process of 
making is described ; but it seems that this was a failure," the wine 
was "harsh and austere." (On this I will remark that probably it 
never had age enough to develop it.) Then white wine was grown, 
and Mr. Hamilton declares " it succeeded far beyond my most sanguine 
expectations." It closely resembled the flavour of champagne, and "in 
two or three years the wine, to my great amazement, bad a finer flavour 
than the best champagne I ever tasted." He sold some of it to a wine 
merchant at 50 guineas a hogshead. Another bought £500 worth, and 
sold it from 1h. Qd. to 10s. Qd. a bottle. Some, kept sixteen years in 
wood, resembled old hock. 
This vineyard was too much exposed to south-west winds, and what 
was damaged by May frosts and wet summers was balanced by one good 
year, making up for many disappointments. 
Loudon (Lond. 1822) mentions Pain's Hill Vineyard as being 
neglected or destroyed at the beginning of this century. He also men- 
tions St. Lawrence Cottage Vineyard, near Undercliff, Isle of Wight, as 
1 
Fig. 138. — Site of the Yineyakd at Castle Coch. 
still existing— 3 acres of rocky gi'ound, sheltered from the north. It was 
commenced in 1792, and Muscadines were grown in beds ; I think they 
were only 18 inches apart. " Pleasant light wine is made." 
Speechley thinks that the whole South of England offers many sites 
for vineyards that would be profitable, and I am sure he is right; 51° 
north latitude is the nominal limit for the growth of the Vine, but with 
reasonable care and choice of situation (never in valuable soil) I can 
recommend this crop up to 53° N., always avoiding the west coast, w^et 
neighbourhoods, and exposure to west or south-west winds. 
Who will help in this restoration of English vineyards ? The 
land itself should be the least part of the cost ; and as many of our 
Fellows possess such soils and situations, I appeal to them and others to 
