Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-07-24
farmer's Departmeut.
The Grape Culture in Ohio.
THE WINE CELLARS AT CINCINNATI.

A recent visitor at cincinnati, gives us the lol-
lowing az count of the wine cellars and wine
business at and in the neighborhood of that
citv We have on several occasions publish
cd interesting facts relating to the grape
growing and the wine business cf Ohio but
we are sure we shall add to previous accounts,
by printing annexed information
The wine houses of Cincinnati ,are among the
most interesting curiosties of that city. We
have visited two of them. The establishment
of Longworth and Zimmerman is the most ex-
tensive but that of Zimmerman and Brothers
being latest constructed, has many improve
mcnts In those places deep vaults are con-
structed, from twenty to thirty feet beneath
the surface of the ground. These are kept at
a cool, uniform temperature, during the entire
year. The new wine is first stored in huge
butts, capable of holding from two to FIVE
Thousand gallons There it stands fermentS,
and is allowed to settle during q period of Sc
veral months. When it is fit for bottling it is
racked off, the bottles being filed and corked by
machinery. They are then stored away in the
vast cellars, where they remain for some months
until ready for use The still wine does not
rcqnirc as much management as the sparkling
variety, which is more perfectly clarified, and
by means of pure rock candy it is sweetened
and the sparkle which distinguishes it is Sc
cured The bottles of sparkling wine are, af-
ter being filed placed with the necks down
ward Sediment gradually deposits itself near
the cork. Skiilfui workmen then unclOSe these
bottles, holding them neck downward and al
low enough of the wine to escape to carry oil
the deposit. This process is repeated until the
wine is thoroughly clarified and fit for use
While it is ripening it is most important to
keep the temperature low. An increase of
half degree in heat will cause the bottles to
explode, aud sometimes hundreds, even thou
sands of bottles are thus wasted the deStruc-
ton sweeping far and wide through the Gel
lars, and it is only conquered by the appllca-
tion of ice, to bring down the average tempe
rature. These losses are common to all wines
of a character similar to champagne, and they
have mnch influence in increasing the cost.
The descent into the wine vauts is like that
into the caves of Tartarus. With candles fix
cd upon the ends of shingles, the guides and
visters explore the mysteries of these dark
and silent regions The gloom is profound,
and is scarce lighted by the glmmer OF their
candles the visiterS pass on amid stacks OF
bottles, piled croSSways, and resting in mounds.
Mildcw, damp and moisture enShrOud them,
and there is but little promise of the good
cheer within Wine drinkers are rarely in
temperate it is your guzzIer Of brandy, whis-
key, rum or gin, who rapidly, unless prudence
Restraints him, becomes drunkard. Mankind
have always had a taste for stimulants, who
ther in savage or civilized countries. This
weakness, implanted in US by nature. is not to
he eradcated by statutes which make crimes
Of indulgence toward which constitutional pre-
dilections urge us. 1t is the part of wisdom,
therefore, in endeavoring to regulate the weak
ncsses of men. The encouragement of the
grape culture and of the wine manufacture is
a great measure of social reform which will
ensure health and happiness to all who are re-
lieved from the temptation of using the pro-
duce of the atlll The facilities for raising the
grape are so many in this country, and the ad-
vantages to all by rendering wine q common
drink, are so much to be desired, that it is a
subject for fervent hope that ere many years.
vineyards will gladden. the face of this vast
continent, and that wine will be as excellent,
as pure, and as cheap as it is upon the con-
tinent Of Europe. If this great benefit shall
be secured US, let it not be forgotten that
among the benefactors of his country, to whose
energy, enterprise and courage great credit is
due, should be proudly enrolled the name of
Nicholas Longworth