The best Bordeaux wine _de côtes_ is made with the grape called _noir de pressac_, the _bochet_, and the _merlot_.
The first class Burgundies, called _les têtes de cuves_, are from the choicest vines, namely; the _noirien_ and _pineau_, grown on the best spots of the vineyards having the finest aspect.
The black grape called the «golden plant» (_plant doré_,) is cultivated in all the most distinguished vineyards of Champagne, and from which is produced the finest of those celebrated wines.
The vines called the _semilion_ and _muscat-fou_ are very extensively cultivated, those most noted are the black _morillon_, of two varieties, the _madaleine_ and the vine of Ischia; the latter produces fine fruit as high as north lat. 48°.
The bloom upon the grape, which so delicately tints the skin, is considered in proportion to its prevalence a proof of attention or negligence in the culture.
The age of which the vine bears well, is from sixty to seventy years, or more, but in the common course of things it is six or seven years before it is in full bearing. The vines are pruned three times before they bear fruit, when this operation is again repeated. In France the vine is propagated by layers of buds, which are taken up after the vintage, and by slips chosen from among the cuttings; vines from the latter live longest and bear most fruit, though those from the layers shoot earliest. The general method of training the vine in France, is the «_tinge bas_» or low stem training, the young shoots of the year being tied to stakes from four to five feet in height.
The season of the vintage is one of stirring interest and alacrity, the merry groups of grape gatherers now to be seen in almost every field, commence their employment as early as possible after the sun has dissipated the dew, and the gathering is uniformly continued with as much rapidity as possible, if the weather continue fair, so as to terminate the pressing in one day.
In concluding this subject, we may very well exemplify the general distribution of the vegetable tribes in this part of France, by observing that merry _Bacchus_ presides over the cheerful hills, _Flora_ and _Pomona_ grace the laughing vallies and the sylvan shades, while the bountiful _Ceres_ extends her dominion over the upland plains, and the smiling prairies of the fertilizing Cher and Loire.