Morocco is the second largest producer of wine in the Arab world, rich for its wild grape varieties and its traditions.
Introduced by Carthaginians
The vine was introduced to Morocco by the Carthaginians, about 2,500 years ago.
At the time of the Roman Empire, wine was transported in amphorae from Meknes, one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Morocco.
Following the French and Spanish protectorates, and following the phylloxera crisis, many foreign winegrowers settled in the country, and increased wine production. But the production was mainly exported then, since wine was not part of the local uses.
Over time, wine growers turned to a more qualitative production and chose to grow varieties such as Chardonnay, Roussanne, Syrah, Cabernet.
Local consumption also increased. However, this progress is being made in a difficult environment, since the sale of alcohol is forbidden to Muslims under Moroccan law.
Since the 2000s, Morocco has been working on improving the quality of wines, through new regulations.
vitis sylvetris
Morocco is one of the last places in the world where it is possible to find wild vines, that come from the “vitis sylvetris“.
But Morocco produces wines mainly from grape varieties such as Cinsault, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah (reds) and white Grenache, Chardonnay, Clairette, Muscat, Viognier, “Faranat” of Tunis, Bourboulenc, Roussanne (whites).
The Moroccan vineyards do not really require phytosanitary treatments, thanks to climatic conditions that are not very capricious, and the products are practically organic, with weeding done by hand.
Among our favorites is the Tandem, a Syrah wine, that taste a little like a Crozes-Hermitage, with organically grown vines.
50,000 ha
The vineyards mainly located in the regions of Meknes, Benslimane, Berkane, Khémisset, Tiflet and Romani.
Extent of the vineyard
The total area of the vineyard about 50,000 hectares (ha), but the area intended for wine production is less than 10,000 (ha).
