Produced by Louise Hope and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Transcriber’s Note: This text file comes in several versions. The unicode/utf-8 version (file name ending in -0) is “best” and should be used if your text reader or browser can handle it. The latin-1 version (file name ending in 8) is similar but not as precise. The ASCII-7 version (file name without extra numeral) should be used only as a last resort. Errors are listed at the end of the text.] [Illustration: THE DISGORGING, LIQUEURING, CORKING, STRINGING, AND WIRING OF CHAMPAGNE (Frontispiece)] FACTS ABOUT CHAMPAGNE and OTHER SPARKLING WINES, Collected During Numerous Visits to the Champagne and Other Viticultural Districts of France, and the Principal Remaining Wine-Producing Countries of Europe. by HENRY VIZETELLY, _Chevalier of the Order of Franz Josef._ _Wine Juror for Great Britain at the Vienna and Paris Exhibitions of 1873 and 1878._ _Author of “The Wines of the World Characterized and Classed,” &c._ WITH ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS, Drawn by Jules Pelcoq, W. Prater, Bertall, etc., From Original Sketches. London: Ward, Lock, and Co., Salisbury Square. 1879. This little book scarcely needs a preface, as it speaks sufficiently for itself. It is for the most part the result of studies on the spot of everything of interest connected with the various sparkling wines which it professes to describe. Neither pains nor expense have been spared to render it both accurate and complete, and the large number of authentic engravings with which it is illustrated will conduce, it is hoped, to its value. Uniform with the present work and the Author’s “Facts About Sherry,” FACTS ABOUT PORT AND MADEIRA, Including Chapters on the Wines Vintaged Around Lisbon and the Wines of Teneriffe. Illustrated with 80 Engravings from Original Sketches. CONTENTS. PAGE. I.--THE ORIGIN OF CHAMPAGNE. The Early Vineyards of the Champagne-- Their Produce esteemed by Popes and Kings, Courtiers and Prelates-- Controversy regarding the rival Merits of the Wines of Burgundy and the Champagne-- Dom Perignon’s happy Discovery of Sparkling Wine-- Its Patrons under Louis Quatorze and the Regency-- The Ancient Church and Abbey of Hautvillers-- Farre and Co.’s Champagne Cellars-- The Abbey of St. Peter now a Farm-- Existing Remains of the Monastic Buildings-- The Tombs and Decorations of the Ancient Church-- The Last Resting-Place of Dom Perignon-- The Legend of the Holy Dove-- Good Champagne the Result of Labour, Skill, Minute Precaution, and Careful Observation 9 II.--THE VINTAGE IN THE CHAMPAGNE. THE VINEYARDS OF THE RIVER.