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Wines.
equal
the
finer
growths.
The
characteristics
of
the
best
red
growths
are
a
bright
deep
ruby
or
violet
colour,
exquisite
bouquet,
of
the
flavour
of
the
rasp-
berry
and
violet,
a
soft
silky
taste
to
the
palate,
and
possessing
the
quality
of
endurance.
Ordinary
claret
is
one
of
the
most
refreshing
and
invigorating
of
beverages.
It
is
easy
of
digestion,
and
well
suited
for
general
use,
especially
in
warm
climates,
being
a
mildly
stimulating
drink.
The
district
has
been
estimated
to
produce
upwards
of
85,000,000
gallons of
wine.
Champagne
.
—
Let
us
now
turn
to
Champagne
—
“
the
spring
dew
of
the
spirit
—
the
heart's
rain
this
is
the
produce
of
vineyards
in
the
ancient
province,
so
called,
which
now
compre-
hends
the
departments
of
Aube,
Ardennes,
Marne,
and
Haut
Marne
:
the
surface
of
the
country
presents
extensive
plains
with
ranges
of
hills.
The
wines
are
distinguished,
according
to
the
site
of
the
vineyards,
iuto river
or
mountain
growths,
the
former
being
for
the
most
part
white,
the
latter
red.
The
vineyards
in
the
department
of
Marne
produce
the
most
esteemed
wines,
those
of
the
neighbourhood
of
Epernay
and
Rheims
being
the
most
famous
among
them.
Epernay,
which
is
situated
between
hills
in
the
midst
of the
vine-lands.