Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-09-17

the requirements OF good VINE. Inc
cold, wet. coast counties may make wine o.
too low spirit, lacking in color or bo9y,
while the interior counties, where there is a
longer and hotter season, may be aDle to
raise heayy-bodied wines, strong IN spirit
and dark in color. If these Should be
actual conditions, then both sections would
be benefited by an interchange. This is
fact in France, and doubtless will be so
here.
California has made great progress in e1-
perimenting with many varietles-espe-
cially French varieties-of grapes in the
last three or four years. In fact, more has
been done in that direction in that time
than in all time before, and we have al
ready results in this experimental stage TO
show that we shall succeed and find the
grape that We need. 1t is not certain that
the same grape will be the desired grape for
all sections Of California; in fact, it is al
most certain that every marked difference
in climate will have a different variety
which may be especially suited to such eli
mate; but there is great variety OF grapes
coming from different countries with differ
ent climates, as different as the climate Of
our State and similar to ours. As yet eX
perience is too limited to recommend with
confidence any varieties for special lOCali-
ties. wish | knew what to recommend to
each locality. for | would like TO be good
even to myself | can, however, tell you
some general characteristics of some of the
noted new kinds as | have had probably
better opportunities of seeing than many
of YOU, and have heard the opinions of
some of our most prominent growers and
wine-makers. The variety which stands,
perhaps. the highest of all the new ones. is
the Mataro. 1t is claimed by those who have
worked it up that it is a true Claret grape
making wine of dark color, somewhat
rough TO the taste when new, but lmproy-
ing with age-a wine that carries well and
is almost impossible to spoil. | have seen
it growing and bearing both in Los Angeles
and Napa, and it is good grower and
heavy bearer.
Crosse Blaue is another Of the grapes Of
very bright promise 1t is very rich in
tannin, making dark, bright red wine of
fine quality. The vine is healthy and a
good bearer.
Carignan makes q smooth, pleasant red
wine from the beginning, but it is claimed
does not improve much by age. 4 heavy
bearer, but is liable 10 mildeW.
TrOusseau makes q fair to dark-COlOred
wine of the highest quality for flavor and
bouquet, and makes in the southern cOun-
ties the best port wine yet made. 1t makes,
too, a superior red. dry wine, if the grapes
arc gathered when not OYerripe. 1t is free
from mildew, good grower, perhaps me-
dunn bearer. ! consider 1t valuable, and
have had some experience with it.
Cabanet, the Shirraz and MaIbec are
grapes which make in Europe the finest of
all wines, but where | have seen them
growing (Napa valley IN 1889 they are very
shy bearers, and for that reason of doubtful
and " mid PppDTn pD6 them for cY-
pertinent only.
Pied de Pedriex and Gammy Trincturier
are two varieties of grapes whose juice even
before fermentation is dark red, and when
fermented makes wine of intense color
so dark that mixing one gallon Of this wine
with two of white wine would make dark
red Wine-and | have much faith that red
wines could thus be made of superior quail
ity. Both Of these grapes are heavy bear
ers, and l am very sure that such dark
wines will always be in demand for mixing
with wines that are deficient in color, and
intend 10 plant largely of both.
Petit Penot or Black Burgundy is also a
grape of much promise as red wine grape,
and a good bearer.
Ploussard has good reputation about
San Jose, the only place where it has yet
been tried
There arc some varieties of American
origin which I think may be very valuable
for the warm localities in this State. have
no actual experience with them, and some
of the wine men do not share in some Of
the beliefs l entertain. / speak of three
varieties
Lenoir, Cynthiana and NoItOns Virginia
We all agree that they are phyilOXera
proof: that the LenOir makes wine of in
tense dark color and valuable for mixing
purposes; but when / claim that the Gym
thiana and the Norton makes a very supe-
nor wine, then We differ. | have drank
the wine at different times and l like it
better than any other red wine. 1t IS held,
too, in high esteem East, selling for the
highest price t15 per case. This high
price no doubt, is partly owing TO the lin
tied supply. It is agreed that the wine has
a most beautiful color and that it might be
valuable for blending with others and ii is
said that all are good bearers. Another
very valuable quality these grapes have for
warm localities is that the vines retain their
leaves under all trying and hot conditions
of climate, and that no sunshine can scorch
them. and that their large dark-gfcen sur
face remains intact until winter. fully pro-
tccting the grapes. Their drawback IS that
all root from cuttings with difficulty, and
have to be rooted III nursery before plant
ing in vineyard. | feel very safe, however,
intrecommending their extensive planting,
for should my belief in their good qualities
for wine purposes be erroneous, then they
could be used FOR grating upon, and being
phylloxera proof would be very valuable.
As regards grapes for the making Of white
wine | can speak with much more conf
dence, for our white wines, especially in
the south are much more satisfactory than
our red wines, excepting our sweet wines,
whether white or red, which are always sat
isfaCtory.
For warm localities can with confidence
recommend thc Burger. I have had it now
for over ten years 1t il the heaviest Of all
bearers and makes 2 wine Of good quality,
which can be drank without firing the
palate day after day in generous quantity
and with pleasant effect 10 mind and body.
IL is a wine which will always be popular
on account Of its neutral favor and aroma
and mild. pleasant acid. II also makes q
superior brandy.
Blaue Eileen makes good white wine, is
g good bearer, and usually healthy, but Is
not quite 50 dcairaDle as Burger and some
others.
scnillon and SauFignon Vert are two
very valuable grapes for making superior
and excellent SGuternc, which will always
bring the highest price IN market Both
are very heavy bearers.
Sultana may be regarded SO & grape
which promises well, tor it has as yet been
used only for wine making TO limited ex-
tent. What 1 have seen WIS Of very good
Sauterne type 1t IS perhaps the largest
bearer of all the grapes.
There are, of course many more yarie-
ties, come of which are known to be
valuable and some are in a stage Of expert
ment; but have given enough varieties,
and those which are likely TO be OF great
value. To give more would be only COR
fusng, and many Of them had better be-
LETT for a time in the hands of those who
/ follow experimenting, and thus be approved
or condemned as time will teach.
There are many more points that suggest
Themselves which would be OF interest for
me to discuss One thought suggests an
other snd it becomes difficult 10 stop. But
| would tire you with these pro1y details,
and will bring my remarks to u close. /
cann0! do so without a word Of praise to
the liberal people of Sacramento, in doing
the lions share in giving the people Of this
u