Pioneering American Wine: Writings of Nicholas Herbemont, Master Viticulturist

Part One. Maxims

part one Maxims This page intentionally left blank The Vine has been given to man that it may enliven his spirits, gladden his heart, produce cheerfulness and good fellowship in society, and enable him to support unavoidable afflictions, under which he would frequently sink in despair. 1828 Where wine is most abundant, there is found most sobriety. 1828 Tell me where happiness is to be found more frequently, than in a circle of neighbours, relatives and friends, with really sound, light and unadulterated wine circulating moderately amongst them. There the lively song is heard with pleasure, the innocent and witty repartee gives zest to conversation. There the old delight in relating the feats and prowess of their youth, and the young, with due respect for age, listen attentively, and determine to strive with all their might, even to exceed their sires in all their exercises of manhood. 1828 Certain things may be true in France, that are untrue here. 1828 The situation of a Vineyard, must be open, clear and airy. 1828 When you have an abundance of good roots, you have always a top at command. 1828 Are there any kind of grapes, which, converted into wine by themselves, will produce that which is of a very desirable quality? Most undoubtedly there are. 1828 There is nothing to which cleanliness is more necessary, than in the process of gathering grapes, and making wine. 1828 Wine is the fermented juice of the grape; any thing else, though it may be called by this name, is not wine, but only an adulteration or an imitation of it. 1833 Really good and genuine wine is among the best of the numerous blessings that a kind providence has bestowed on man, to assist him in supporting the many vicissitudes to which he is exposed; and, without it, this would truly be “a valley of tears.” 1833 A taste for strong wines has, unfortunately for us, been produced, probably by the first importers of wines across the ocean, who, fearing lest it should not resist Maxims 34 the effect of so long a voyage, thought of securing it by adding to it a quantity of brandy; and a wine which is not strong enough, when drunk in a very moderate quantity, to produce something like an incipient state of intoxication, has been rejected as trash, and a decided preference given to such as had a powerful effect. 1833 A good cellar—one calculated to keep light and delicate wines—ought to be so deep that no change of temperature is experienced in it throughout the year. It should also be rather dry than damp; for too much moisture is injurious to the casks. 1833 If it be true (and of this there cannot be any doubt,) that a poor, light, sandy soil will produce not only good wine, but an abundance of it, what excuse can we, of the Southern states, have for suffering millions of acres of land to lie idle, despised and uncultivated? We pay every year large sums of money for wines and brandies brought from foreign countries, when we can make as good, and perhaps better at home, at a much cheaper rate. 1826 As for the notion that some persons have taken up in this country, that there is no wine made in Europe without the addition of sugar, and some add brandy, it is undoubtedly an error; and I can venture to say, that sugar or brandy is never added to the must in France, except it be by experimentalists. 1826 We ought to remember that brandy is made of wine, and not wine of brandy. 1826 It appears to me that the rational use of wine, is to make it a blessing and not a curse. We show much better our gratitude to a beneficent God, by using that kind gift of his for the very purposes for which it seems to have been intended, viz. to exhilarate our hearts, produce cheerfulness, the parent of health and good morals, and to invigorate debilitated constitutions. 1826 Many plausible and fashionable arguments will be used, to show that governments ought not to meddle with things of this nature. To this I answer, that if the prosperity of nations and states be not the business of governments, I do not know what governments are instituted for. 1827 The culture of the vine is an art which cannot be...