The culture of the vine is practised in all parts of Italy and its adjacent insular dependencies. In the northwest Piedmont is noted for its wines. During the past half century it has claimed attention in the Italian markets. Before that time its vogue was wholly local. The chief regions of Piedmont from the viticultural point of view are Asti and Alexandria. Both still and sparkling wines are made of muscat grapes in many parts of Piedmont. The red wines of Asti have a vogue in foreign countries. They are naturally less alcoholic than wines produced farther south. In the province of Alexandria much of the harvest of grapes is sold for direct consumption. Brandy is also made to some extent here. In earlier days much wine was exported from Piedmont chiefly into France. It was widely believed at that period that much of this wine assumed the names of the celebrated classed wines of that country. This condition no longer obtains. Italian Vermouth, in the days when no restrictions were placed upon it, was largely fabricated in Piedmont