Wine in France can be found as early as the 6th century BC when the Phoenicians, likely made up of Greek immigrants, brought vines over from Phocae. Later, as with most great European wine stories, the Romans did their best to cultivate vines in what was then known as Gaul. As far as the Romans understood it, grapes tended to grow in similar areas to olives and figs; so did their best to grow vines alongside these crops. 

As the Roman Empire declines in 6th century AD, the rise of the Catholic Church meant the control of France’s vineyards were often overseen by Monasteries, and importantly, monks. These monks kept incredibly detailed records of their vines and were generally excellent at vineyard management. 

Following the French Revolution in 1789, France’s vineyards were sold or given away by Napoleon I. Interestingly, the affects of Napolean’s actions are still being felt today, especially since he created an edict which meant vineyards in Burgundy had to be passed down equally to all children as inheritance. This law still stands, and even today, the majority of Burgundy’s vineyards are often part-owned by hundreds of distant family relations. Some owning as little as a single vine. 

France was not spared from Europe’s deadly vine-eating insect-ridden plague, Phylloxera, and from 1860-66, France was struck too. Likely to have originated in the Southern Rhone, Phylloxera spread across France and throughout the world. Once American rootstock was bought to Europe to salvage the carnage, it was too late, and it is thought several prominent grapes were lost. 

Today, France is known throughout the world as one of the leading wine countries – with a culture so ingrained in wine, it’s practically become caricature. That said, 204 different grape varieties are now grown in and across France, with most regions across the country, such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne acting as the pinnacle of fine wine.