'THE ANCIENT VINEYARDS OF WORTHING.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
tfilE,—In the Ordnance Survey map of England, Sheet 318, :almost due north of Worthing, and about two miles from Broad- water, there is a very interesting locality called "Vineyard Hill." It is evident that on that hill in ancient times there was a vineyard. Whether vines were grown there in Roman 'times, or in the times of the monks, I do not know. This would be a nice little investigation for some archaeologist to -work out. Anyhow, it is hardly possible that the locality could have obtained that name if vines were not grown there ; and in all probability the vineyard was used for vine- making. Some might say: 'Probably ; but why did the art of 'wine-making in the South of England not prosper, and be -handed down to ourown time? The chances are it was a failure, and hence its extinction.' This may or may not have been so. If the vineyard had been planted in the time of the Romans, it might be difficult to discover why that vineyard ceased to exist ; but if it had been planted in the time of the monks it might not be difficult to conjecture what caused its extinction. In the reign of Henry VIII. a number of monasteries and abbeys were wrecked, and the monks' vineyard would have gone in the general ruin. But apart from such a possible cause, the introduction of beer and spirits might have com- peted with wine-making, and so the latter art would have naturally become extinct. Anyhow, as the question of vine- growing in the open and wine-making in the South of England has been lately revived, a research into the history of the Vineyard Hill of Worthing might be very interesting. Last October in this district there was summer weather, just at the ripening time of the grape. Some enterprising indi- vidual with command of some capital and nothing else to do might do worse than trying to revive the old art of wine- making in England. There are numerous varieties of vines in France which are called " hltifs " and also " precoces," and these would be the kinds to try experiments with. Of course, an no part of the world where the vine is grown for wine- making is a first-class wine expected every year, for this depends on the meteorology of the season ; and the same would happen in the South of England, if the experiment were tried. But one good season out of several might pay for 'indifferent seasons and leave a profit. In indifferent seasons cheap wines would be produced; in good seasons a first-class wine would fetch a good price, and compensate for indifferent seasons. Moreover, it is not necessary for wine-making that the grape should be fully ripe, for sugar could always bs added, and therein would be the art.—I am, Sir, &c., E. BONAYIA, M.D.
Previous page
