The Vineyard Algerian

Algeria's wine history has two climaxes . The first period is ancient, under the domination of Phoenicia and the Roman Empire. The second date of the French colonization , following the Algiers war (1830) . Interdependencies between the Algerian and French wine market was particularly strong from 1870 to 1960 as the article Giulia Meloni etJohan Swinnen ( University of Leuven) , published by the American Association of Wine Economists watch.

The development of the Algerian vineyards has increased dramatically from the fall of the Second Empire , when the phylloxera crisis decimated the hexagonal vineyard. The vineyards in Algeria rises to 360,000 hectares in the years 1930-1939, with a production of 17.2 million hectoliters . For comparison, during this decade the hexagonal vineyard produces annually 58.8 million hl of 1,530,000 ha . The Algeria is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world. The French market is then supplied exclusively with Algerian bulk.

In 1934-1938 , the 12.9 million hectoliters shipped by Algeria in fact represent two thirds of the global flow of wines ( Italy account for 7 % of trade , 4.3% in France and Spain 3%). In the early 1960s , the Algerian expeditions still represented double the cumulative trade of France , Italy and Spain . Giulia Meloni and Johan Swinnen note that the rise of Algerian wine is as spectacular as its sharp decline . In 1962 , the Algerian vineyard is retracted , returning at once 120 years ago. Today the Algerian vineyards around 70 000 hectares , with negligible exports according to the latest data of the OIV. Article Giulia Meloni and Johan Swinnen highlights the legacy of the Algerian wine left in the French legislation. Its exponential growth in the 1890s have led to such institution traceability laws , foreshadowing the appellations of origin.

Viticulture in Algeria dates back to antiquity and especially the Roman colonization . At the time of the French colonization , the Algerian vineyard has reached 396,000 hectares with an annual production of wine up to 18 million hectoliters. Since the country 's independence in 1962 , most of the vineyards were torn .

The wild vine ( lambrusque ) flourished in the coastal hills where she grew haughty in along the trees. It produced small grains that were eaten fresh or dried by Berbères .

This vitis vinifera silvestris married to vitis vinifera sativa plants imported by the Carthaginians in the Cap Bon and in their coastal trading posts. These new varieties were the basis of a native grape varieties that lasted in table grapes , said Kabyle . Roman colonization of the future Algeria made ​​the granary of the Empire but the culture of the vine was not absent cited as Caesarea Mauretania ( Cherchell ) Hippo ( Annaba ) or Cuicul ( Djemila ) . Number of mosaics attestent.

In the seventh century , the Arab invasion undermined viticulture tank which officially gave way to that of table grapes. But in some Berber tribes where Islam was slow to take hold , vineyards continued to provide harvest for winemaking . Birebent Paul explains: " Many travelers have found tell fondouks wines dates, honey and raisins and a sweet wine made from boiled and fermented grape

For their part, the Jews continued to make wine kosher wine. Spaniards settling in Oran , there revived the culture of the vine. In addition, a customer was on site for the local wines. She was of Turkish Janissaries Christian slaves , Spanish presidios members of consulates, European traders to the crews of ships marchands .

The Regency of Algiers in 1830 , cultivated a few plots of vines whose area does not exceed 2,000 hectares. It was Marshal Clauzel which EN1836 , opened to settlement land around Boufarik . This attempt failed with the insurrection of 1839. Upon his arrival in Algiers February 22, 1841 , his successor , Marshal Bugeaud made ​​its willingness to poursuivre .

The first settlers sowed grain , crop requiring little investment . The wine of poor quality , came from either France or Spain. Marshal Bugeaud considered that viticulture in Algeria should be allowed to "use the table and raisin ." In 1841 , he ordered the company of farmers to develop a Algerian vignoble .

The beginning was slow. In 1851 , in 41 centers of settlement in Oran , the vines from France were made ​​available to each settler . Their recovery was a échec2 . In 1853 , Count Randon , Governor General, he planted an acre of vines inside the penitentiary deBerrouaghia .

In 1861 , Marshal Pelissier , new Governor General was open two wineries near Algiers , the first Birkhadem , the second in Bir Mourad Raïs1 and it prospered. The plants could be propagated and cuttings form the embryo of the first algérien2 vineyard spread on 6500 ha3 . From 1875 , when phylloxera destroyed the French and European vineyards , Algeria was considered the Promised Land. General Chanzy , Governor General of Algeria, was advised that " the phylloxera in France , while Algeria has the will and prudence to avoid , it is soon to Algeria , calling to his aid a number of winemakers, fill the tanks of France. " The latter, in 1877 , declared: "We should bring in Algeria by the lure of the culture in which they are used , some of the people who , in France , have been sorely affected by the phylloxéra ."

In the late 1950s, when the vines vineyard consisted mostly of Carignan and Cinsault , experimenting with varieties less productive but more qualitative were undertaken . In addition , Professor Vivet , placed at the disposal of professionals ( wine grower and nurseryman ) of rooted grafts of 41 B Rupestris Lot, 3309,.

Under his leadership , specific rootstocks were selected . His work was continued by Professor Aldebert , the Agricultural Institute DEMAISON - Square . Their goal was the removal of prohibited varieties and the introduction of quality grape varieties such as Cabernet , Syrah , legrenache the pinot2 .

The planting of grapes in bowl consisted of Carignan, Cinsault , the Alicante - Bouschet , Mourvèdre for reds and rosés , and Morastel and merseguerra for whites. For table grapes, dominated Muscat , the date palm Beirut , sultana , the Ameur Ameur and Bou Bou Tizourine Afraraet , Kabyle grapes fermes2 large grains.