s of Ruedesheim were clothed in white. As the imperial ruler was
looking thoughtfully over the landscape, he noticed that the snow on
one side of Johannisberg melted quicker in the sun's rays than on any
other part. Charles, who was a great and deep thinker, began to
reflect that on a spot where the rays of the sun shone so genially,
something better than grass would thrive.

Sending for Kunrat, his faithful servant, he bade him saddle his horse
the next day at dawn and ride to Orleans, a town famous for its good
wine. He was to inform the citizens that the emperor had not forgotten
the excellent wine they had given him there, and that he would like to
grow the same vines on the Rhine. He desired the citizens of Orleans
therefore to send him plants from their country.

The messenger set off to do the king's bidding and ere the moon had
again gone round her course, was back in the castle at Ingelheim.
Great satisfaction prevailed at court. Charles, mighty ruler as he
was, even went so far as to cross to Ruedesheim, where he planted with
his royal hand the French vine in German soil.

This was no mere passing whim on the part of the emperor. He sent
messengers constantly to bring word how the vines were thriving in
Ruedesheim and on the flanks of Johannisberg, and when the third autumn
had come round, the Emperor Charlemagne set out from his favourite
resort, Aix-la-Chapelle, for the Rhine country, and great rejoicing
prevailed among the vine-reapers from Ruedesheim to Johannisberg.

The first cup of wine was solemnly offered to the emperor, a golden
wine in a golden goblet, a wine worthy of a king.

Charles took a long deep draught, and with brightened eyes praised the
delicious drink. It became his favourite wine, this fiery
"Johannisberger," making him young again in his old age. What
Charlemagne then felt when he drank this wine, every one who raises
the sparkling grapejuice to his lips is keenly sensible of also.
Wherever the German tongue is heard, and even further still, the king
of all Rhine wines is known and sought after, Johannisberger wine.

* * * * *

The legend weaves another wonderful tale about the great emperor
blessing his grapes.

A poet's pen has fashioned it into a song, which is still often heard
among the grapegatherers.

Every spring when the vines are blossoming on the hills and in the
valleys along the river, and their fragrance scents the air, a tall
sha