I.

/Early Renown of the Champagne Wines./

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The vine in Gaul--Domitian's edict to uproot it--Plantation of vineyards under Probus--Early vineyards of the Champagne--Ravages by the Northern tribes repulsed for a time by the Consul Jovinus--St. Remi and the baptism of Clovis--St. Remi's vineyards--Simultaneous progress of Christianity and the cultivation of the vine--The vine a favourite subject of ornament in the churches of the Champagne--The culture of the vine interrupted, only to be renewed with increased ardour--Early distinction between 'Vins de la Rivière' and 'Vins de la Montagne'--A prelate's counsel respecting the proper wine to drink--The Champagne desolated by war--Pope Urban II., a former Canon of Reims Cathedral--His partiality for the wine of Ay--Bequests of vineyards to religious establishments--Critical ecclesiastical topers--The wine of the Champagne causes poets to sing and rejoice--'La Bataille des Vins'--Wines of Auviller and Espernai le Bacheler 1