1879 Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines

38.

Cha1npagne and, Other Spwrl,ling Wines.

At one vendangeoir we visited at Mailly between 350 and 400 pieces of wine were being made at the rate of some thirty pieces during the long day of twenty hours, :five men being engaged in working the old-fashio~ed press, closely resembling a cyder press, and applying its pressure longitudinally. The must was emptied into large vats, holding about 450 gallons, and remained there for two or three days before being dra.wn off into casks. Of the above ~hirty pieces, twenty resulting from the :first pressure were of the :finest quality, four produced by the second pressure were partly reserved to replace what · the :first might lose during fermentation, the residue serving for second– class champagne. The six pieces which came from the :final pressure, after being mixed with common wine of t he district, were converted into champagne of inferior quality. We now cross the mountain, sight Ville-en-Selve-the village in the wood-among the distant trees, and eventually r each Louvois, whence the Grand Monarque's domineering wai; minister derived his marquisate, and where his chtiteau, a plain but capa– cious edifice, may still be seen nestled in a picturesque and fertile valley, and surrounded by lordly pleasure grounds. Soon after– wards the vineyards of Bouzy appear in sight, with the pros– perous-looking little village rising out of the plain at the foot of the vine-clad slopes stretching to Ambonnay, and the glitter– ing ~farne streaking the hazy distance. The commodious new e;hurch was indebted for its spire, w,e were told, to the lucky gainer-who ~hanced to be a native of Bouzy-of the great gold ingot lottery prize, value £16,000, drawn some years ago. The Bouzy vineyards occupy a series of gentle inclines, and have the advantage of a full southern aspect. The soil, which is of the customary calcareous formation, has a_ marked ruddy tinge, indicative of the presence of iron, to which the wine is in some degree indebtedfor its distinguishing chara.cteristics-its delicacy, spirituousness, and pleasant bouquet. Vintagers are passing slowly in between the vines, and carts laden with grapes come rolling over the dusty roads. Th~ moun~ain which rises behind is scored up its sides and frmged with foliage at its