motion to disperse it, and thus prevent the danger of suffocation. In the Rheingau, as well as in the Palatinate of Hesse, the wine is generally put into stück or halfstück casks; but in Rhenish Bavaria casks of from four to six stücks or more are used. During the time of fermentation, it is frequently roused by the application of a heavy iron chain, that the thicker portion may rise and all ferment equally together. In spring it is, for the first time, drawn off from the lees. In a stück there are usually about 10 gallons of lees and thick wine. This has a clayey appearance, and yellow colour. It is put into sacks and pressed in the wine-press; the wine which oozes out being used for filling up after it has been fined. Six weeks after the first drawing off from the lees, it is racked off a second time. This is again done in the following autumn, when it is one year old. Afterwards it is racked every spring and autumn. Every four or five weeks the cask has to be filled up. When from two to three years old, it may be safely bottled. There is, perhaps, a greater variety in Rhine wine than in any other, both as regards price and quality. For instance, in Rüdesheim, Geisenheim, or Johannisberg, wines are to be had from about 57. up to 60%. per aum. It is evident from this that the difference does not consist merely in the names of the several growths; since there are some of the finest and most inferior sorts produced in Rüdesheim and Johannisberg, as well as in most of the other districts in the Rheingau. It often happens that on the same hill two or three kinds are growing which differ widely from one another; for example, the lower, or north side of a hill produces a wine which is not half so valuable as on that which faces the south. Besides this, the age, the treatment and manuring of the vineyard, all exercise an important influence on the quality. The difference of price in the Palatinate is not so great as in the Rheingau— arising from the fact that the country is much flatter, and the varieties of soil are not so numerous. The growths of the Palatinate, and of Rhenish Bavaria, &c., are generally sold at low prices compared with those of the Rheingau. The proprietors of celebrated vineyards in the latter usually sell theirs by public auction, while others employ brokers. The former often realise very great sums, generally far beyond the value, for every winedealer is desirous of having in his cellar a little of these fine growths; and, as the quantity is small, they reach fancy prices.' It is to be regretted that there are so few good vintages on the Rhine. Extraordinarily fine as its wine is in good years, it is proportionately bad in others; it is then unpleasant, and its consumption is almost confined to the country itself. A slight acidity is a natural characteristic; but, from the reports of medical men, it appears that this is by no means prejudicial to health. A few proprietors are in the habit, in bad years, of mixing sugar with their wine, to make it more agreeable. The following song in praise of Rhine wine is well known everywhere, and much sung by Germans : Rheinweinlied. Bekränzt mit Laub den lieben, vollen Becher, Und trinkt ihn fröhlich leer! In ganz Europia, ihr Herren Zecher, Ist solch ein Wein nicht mehr! Er kommt nicht her aus Ungarn, noch aus Polen, Da mag Sanct Veit, der Ritter, Wein sich holen, Wie wär' er sonst so edel, wäre stille Und doch voll Kraft und Muth! Ihn bringt das Vaterland aus seiner Fülle Er wächst nicht überall im deutschen Reiche, Sind wie die weiland Kreter, faule Bäuche, Und nicht der Stelle werth. Thüringens Berge, zum Exempel, bringen Gewächs, sieht aus wie Wein, Ist's aber nicht; man kann dabei nicht singen, Im Erzgebirge dürft ihr auch nicht suchen, Das bringt nur Silbererz und Kobaldkuchen Und etwas Lausegold. Der Blocksberg ist der lange Herr Philister, Er macht nur Wind, wie der; D'rum tanzen auch der Kuckuk und sein Küster THE RHEINGAU. Am Rhein, am Rhein, da wachsen unsre Reben, Gesegnet sei der Rhein ! Da wachsen sie am Ufer hin, und geben Uns diesen Labewein! So trinkt, so trinkt, und lasst uns alle Wege Und wüssten wir wo Jemand traurig läge, THE RHEINGAU. 389 The wine district most favoured by nature is the Rheingau. It is situated on the right bank of the Rhine, extending about twenty-five miles, i. e. from Walluf to Lorch; and is about eight miles in width. The whole region is a chain of hills, which, extending along the river, produces the worldrenowned Rhine wine. The steep hills are formed into terraces, one above the other, to prevent the soil giving way. On smaller hills this is not necessary. The greater part of the grapes grown here are Riesling; besides these, there are a large number of Oestreicher, Kleinberger and Kleb-Roth. Orleans grapes are more scarce; they are for the most part only on the Rüdesheim hill. The Riesling wine is in good years, considerably better than Oestreicher, Kleinberger, or Kleb-Roth. It is distinguished by its flavour, aroma, and strength, and always improves by age. In bad years, however, the Oestreicher, &c., are preferred, as they become ripe earlier than Riesling, and consequently yield in those years a more agreeable wine. The Orleans grapes cannot be cultivated in cold flat soils, as they require much warmth. They are generally planted on sunny hills, as, for example, on the Rüdesheim-Berg; and, even there, in cold wet years they do not thrive. In favourable seasons they yield a remarkably fine quality, distinguished by body and flavour. In the centre of the Rheingau the castle of Johannisberg stands on the summit of the hill, surrounded by splendid vineyards, producing a wine that may be fearlessly compared with any in the world. The late Prince Metternich received this estate as a present from the Emperor of Austria. The annual produce is from 320 to 400 aums, but the quantity which is sold by wine-merchants under its name is greatly more. The price of the genuine 'Schloss Johannisberg' is enormous. The charge for a bottle at the castle is about 20s. But the previous remark, that the quality of the wines produced on every hill varies considerably, is confirmed by the fact, that on the very hill of Johannisberg, wine is grown which can be had at about 4s. per bottle! Everyone may purchase the Johannisberg direct from the cellar, and there is no need to apply to an agent. Many German wine-merchants are agents for the sale, receiving a commission of 10 per cent. The Cabinet wines were formerly sold in bottle only, bearing the seal of the prince as a guarantee that they were genuine. Of late, however, a portion is sold in casks by auction. An equally high reputation is enjoyed by the |