THE MOROCCAN RED WINE

The Moroccan Red Wine

The Moroccan Red Wine

     Tourists are sometimes surprised to discover that there is wine production in Morocco. However, this is a reality that dates back to the history of the Roman era, with the presence of wild vines already. However, the first vineyards were not created until the beginning of the 20th century. The first harvest dates from 1927. It takes place in the Ben Slimane region. Today, red wine is the most popular, far ahead of rosé and white wine. It accounts for 74% of local consumption. This drink supplants elsewhere on Moroccan tables strong alcohols like whiskey and a real culture of red wine sets in, although local consumption is estimated at 1 liter of wine per capita and per year.

The majority of the vines and producers of red wines are found in the regions of Berkane, Tiflet, Meknes, Benslimane, Essaouira, and Casablanca. They are produced from Grenache, Cabernet and Cinsault grape varieties. And the most famous red wines are Boualaouane, Château Roslane, the César cuvée, the President cuvée, Terre rouge, El Mogador, Guerrouane, Volubilia, Merlot grape wines, Sauvignon or Syrah grape wines, or the Light by Gérard Depardieu. Without forgetting this wine from the foothills of the Atlas, very popular in the Middle East, Sidi-Brahim.

If the popularity of Moroccan red wine is growing, it owes nothing to chance. After a decline in the area of the vineyard in the 1960s, with a massive policy of uprooting the vines, the situation turned around. From 1976, with the creation of Celliers de Meknès, we became aware of the qualities of Moroccan terroirs, the manufacturing processes of red wine improved, and the quality of products was increasingly recognized, with the attribution of medals.

The Moroccan Red Wine

Like most North African wines, Moroccan red wines are robust and have a very pronounced taste of the terroir, notably that of Château Amjad, made from Grenache and Syrah grape varieties.

Establishment of tasting places, production of a wine of less than 8 degrees intended for women, sale in the largest restaurants in the world, organization of tasting for professionals, etc., Moroccan red wine is in full swing boom. Real wine tourism circuits are being set up to promote it even more. Besides, Morocco now has its first grand cru estate: Château Ghoslane, which is part of the "Coteaux de l'Atlas" appellation.