Algerian wine

Viticulture in Algeria dates back as in many Mediterranean countries to the Phoenicians and Greeks. Operated Later the Romans viticulture in greater quantity. The spread of Islam wine production almost came to a complete standstill and has been converted to table grapes.

Only during the French colonial period, the wine production developed again. In 1938 she reached the peak of 21 million hectoliters. This was also a third of the total French wine production and an important segment in the Algerian economy dar. With the independence of Algeria, a large part of the export market fell away. At the same time many French have left Algeria, which also disappeared from knowing much about the wine. Thus, a serious crisis began in this industry. For some years then took the USSR from about a quarter of production.

The bulk of the colonial viticulture simple mass produced wine which was mainly exported to the waste to France and the rest of Europe.

Today, table grapes and 500,000 hectoliters of wine are produced on an area of ​​69,000 hectares. The vineyards are divided according to the Algerian wine law in seven appellations, all of which are located in coastal areas. The climate is quite mild in winter, while summers are dry and hot. Following the French wine law is given here by the Office national de commercialization des produits viticoles ( ONCV ) the predicate AOG. The ONCV is a national marketing organization for agricultural products and also handles much of the processing, bottling and export of wine. It is subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. For use are mainly very old vines with the preferred Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache and Cinsault. In addition to these, the French brought even Aramon, Gamay and Pinot different with Algeria.

Virtually all the wineries are in cooperatives consisting of huge areas are summarized. These cooperatives are under state supervision. One of the largest cooperatives is the Union of Cooperatives of Viticulteures ( COOPEVIT ), on the wineries around 10,000 people work. In recent years there have been efforts to increase the export of Algerian wine. This is accompanied by qualitative improvements, and the cooperatives were able to achieve a small measure of independence.

Wine-growing areas

The appellations with the predicate AOG are:

In the environment of Algiers ( algérois )

  • Skin Dahra: area of Algiers, the vineyards are located at an altitude of about 600 m. The grape varieties for white wine are: Clairette pointue, maccabeo, Grenache Blanc, Furmint. For the red wine grape varieties following are used: Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Morastel, Alicante Bouschet.
  • Ain Bessem - Bouira: area, southeast of Algiers in the cities of Ain ​​Bessem and Bouira. The soils are limestone - and schieferhaltig. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 500 m. There are powerful red wines and soft strong and fruity rosé wines produced. The grape varieties for white wine are: Clairette pointue, Tizourine bou afrara, Farhana, El- Maoui, maccabeo. For the red wine grape varieties following are used: Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Alicante Bouschet.
  • Coteaux du Zaccar: In Miliana, in the southwest of Algiers. The wines grown on clay - limestone soils and at an altitude between 400 and 900 m. The grape varieties for white wine are: Clairette pointue, Tizourine bou afrara, Farhana, El- Maoui, Macabeo, Chardonnay: For the red wine grape varieties following are used: Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet.

In the environment of Médéa

  • Médéa: This area is located south of Algiers. The vineyards are located at an altitude 600-1200 m and are mainly sandy or marly soils. In the varieties you can find those of Coteaux du Zaccar and white wines in addition Merseguerra and Furmint. For red wines, there are additionally the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Alicante Bouschet and Morastel.

In the environment of Oran ( Oranie )

  • Coteaux de Mascara: here fine wines are produced on a limestone plateau. If the vineyards low (approx. 200 m) are located, they are called " Mascara ". They are, however, called " côteaux de Mascara » when the vineyards are situated at an altitude of 600 to 800 m. Varieties for white wine are: Clairette pointue, Tizourine bou arara, Farrana, El Maoui, Furmint, Chardonnay. However, mainly red wine made from Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon is made. The red wine is very full and rich in alcohol ( 13 to 15.5 %), almost black, and is due to these properties in Northern Europe very much appreciated as a top wine.

Other appellations

  • Monts du Tessalah
  • Coteaux de Tlemcen
  • Viticulture by State
  • Economy (Algeria)
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