History of French Wine

It is estimated that there are approximately 150,000 grape growers in France and almost 1.5 billion gallons of wine are produced from this country on a yearly basis. It is now known as one of the world's biggest wine exporters and it has many different recognized wine-producing regions.

When thinking of the history of French wine, you have to look as far back as the 6th Century BC. Farther forward than that, however, is where I would like to start. This is the Middle Ages, when Monks maintained the Vineyards and they also guarded the wine making skills and also the knowledge required to make wine, very closely. This is because the Monasteries had the resources required to produce the wine that was needed, not only to celebrate Mass but also to produce a regular income. During this period, the Monk's wine was considered as far more superior to that made anywhere else, by anyone else.

As time went on, the Monk's were not the only ones to have control over the vineyards. Rich men and also Noblemen started to acquire the vineyards and grow grapes to make wine for themselves and also to generate an income. The French Revolution, however, soon put a stop to this and the vineyards that were owned by the Monks and the Noblemen were confiscated.

Most of the wine in the history of French wine was drank locally, until about the 1850's when exportation started to produce a recognized income. This was mainly due to railways being developed and also the improvement of major roadways, which meant that transportation costs were decreasing steadily.

In 1953, quality control laws were set up by the Appellation d’Origine Controlee (the AOC) to control the wine making systems, to ensure all wine was made to meet certain rules and regulations. These laws set a precedent and made the French wine making system one of the best in the world. These days, many European wine making regions base their methods on those used by the French and also by the quality control rules that were introduced.

France is now renowned for producing some of the best quality wines in the world, and also the most classic wines that are generally more expensive to buy. Because of this, it is hardly surprising that wine making is one of the Countries biggest economic industries and will continue to be for years to come.