World

Wine around the world

Wine originated in Mesopotamia around 6000 BC. Over the centuries and millennia, the practice developed and spread to Egypt and Phoenicia. The Egyptians were the first to visually depict winemaking and passed this art on to the Greeks. It was the Greeks who then introduced viticulture to the Mediterranean basin: first to Italy, then to North Africa, Spain, Portugal, and France. The Romans then took over, and between the 5th century BC and the Middle Ages, viticulture spread as far north as Europe and Great Britain. Later, colonization spread viticulture throughout the world, with settlers bringing their traditions with them to South America in the 16th century and to South Africa in the 17th.
Today, wine is produced in Europe, throughout the Americas, in Africa and Oceania, but also in Asia. Indeed, in 2014, China became the second largest wine-producing country in the world, behind Spain and ahead of France.

The Mediterranean basin

The Mediterranean basin is the cradle of viticulture. It was around this region that the art of winemaking developed, passed down from the Egyptians to the rest of North Africa and the Greeks, and then from the Greeks to the Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, and Gauls. Shipwrecks containing hundreds of amphorae of wine can still be found at the bottom of the Mediterranean. Today, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece remain among the world's leading wine producers, and wine has become an important part of their heritage. Viticulture has spread beyond the coastlines, resulting in a remarkable diversity in production in terms of color, aroma, and aging potential.
Among the renowned vineyards around the Mediterranean, we can mention Tuscany and Piedmont in Italy, the Rhône Valley and Burgundy in France, Rioja and Ribera del Duero in Spain, or the Peloponnese in Greece.

America: From the United States to South America

The history of wine in North America began with difficulties: for two centuries, settlers persevered and unsuccessfully attempted to plant European grape varieties on the East Coast. Ultimately, it was hybrids— European grape varieties grafted onto American rootstock —that managed to flourish in the 1960s.
In the United States, although grapevines are now cultivated in many states, the best results are achieved on the West Coast . In fact, 90% of the country's wine production comes from California ! Two wine regions stand out: Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley , each named after the river that flows through it. Both white and red wines are produced there. Napa Valley is highly renowned, and Bordeaux grape varieties, once grafted, thrive there. Outside of California, excellent Pinot Noirs are found in Oregon , cultivated by, among others, Burgundy wineries such as Louis Jadot . Very good Rieslings are also noteworthy in Washington State .
In South America, grapevines are cultivated in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and other countries. The wines of Argentina and Chile are particularly renowned. Conquistadors and Franciscan monks successfully introduced European grape varieties to these regions. In both countries, the majority of vineyards are planted on the foothills of the Andes Mountains . Chile is primarily known for its red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, although white wine is also produced. In Argentina, the Mendoza region accounts for 70% of the vineyards. It is known for its wines made from Malbec blended with another grape variety, which are full-bodied yet boast very fruity aromas. However, both red and white wines are produced here as well.

Australia and New Zealand

The first vines were planted in Australia in 1842 by the British. The vines adapted well, the first wines were sold less than ten years later, and thus began a remarkable story. Australia is home to some of the oldest Syrah , Grenache , and Mourvèdre vines in the world, saved from being uprooted by Robert O'Callaghan in the 1980s. He also owns the renowned Rockford estate in the Barossa Valley . This vineyard, located an hour from Adelaide, is among the most prestigious in Australia, primarily known for its red wines made from Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Nearby, the Eden Valley is famous for its white wines, Rieslings and Chardonnays.
In New Zealand , production is limited but of high quality, and the number of wineries has increased considerably in recent years. The wine sector is one of the country's most flourishing, which has led French groups like Pernod Ricard and LVMH to acquire properties there. The archipelago's geographical diversity results in the use of a variety of grape varieties and the production of wines in diverse styles. There are about ten wineries in New Zealand, including Northland on the North Island. On the South Island, there's Marlborough. It is the country's most famous wine region, particularly for its Sauvignon Blancs with notes of exotic fruits and fresh herbs, but also for its Pinot Noirs, Rieslings and Chardonnays. It also produces sparkling wines offering exceptional value for money.