Great French Wine Blight

Approximately 160 years ago, France, one of the world's major wine producers, faced a severe threat that devastated its vineyards, nearly wiping out the entire wine production industry. The root cause of this immense problem was a tiny insect, almost invisible to the naked eye, called Phylloxera. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the history of this monumental crisis.

The Beginning of Disaster: Unregulated Grape Imports and the "Mysterious Disease" (18th Century - 1860 AD)

The story goes that in the 18th century, the wine industries of France and America flourished. Wine producers began importing grapevines from America to cultivate for study and propagation. However, these imported grapevines were brought in illegally and without inspection.

By 1860 AD, a mysterious disease began to devastate vineyards across France, causing grapevines to rot and die. This became a threat to the future of the wine industry, and soon, this mysterious disease spread to other regions in Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Germany. Only Chile, among major wine producers, managed to escape the epidemic.

Discovering the Culprit: Phylloxera, the Pest from North America (1868 AD)

European scientists sought answers, hypothesizing various causes, from soil, water, and climate conditions to cultivation methods. Finally, in 1868 AD, they discovered that these grapevines were victims of tiny yellow parasitic insects clinging to their roots and leaves. These insects were named Phylloxera, belonging to the same group as aphids, originating from North America. It is believed they were brought in with the illegally imported American grapevines.

But this is not entirely the fault of the United States, as the French themselves brought in the problem, unaware of the vast impact it would have on the wine industry.

Phylloxera has two life cycle forms: underground and above ground. The underground form feeds on roots, while the above-ground form feeds on leaves. Furthermore, the above-ground insects are easily carried by wind to other plants, leading to rapid spread.

Another problem that accelerated the spread was the high density, disorganization, and close proximity of vineyards in the past. This contrasts with what we see today, where grapevines are planted in neat rows, a practice adopted to prevent the spread of Phylloxera.

Immense Impact: Economy, Society, and Grape Varieties (15 Years of Devastation)

For over 15 years, this mysterious disease ravaged French vineyards, leaving vast areas desolate. This led to economic turmoil, with a 40% reduction in grape production and other crops. The economic damage was immense, and some grape varieties nearly went extinct, especially Carménère, which was once widely cultivated in Bordeaux but became almost impossible to find in France during that period.

That threat was considered a national catastrophe, as the crisis also had social repercussions. Many rural workers had to migrate to cities in search of employment, which changed the demographic landscape of rural France.

Survival and Innovation: Grape Grafting and the Future of Viticulture

However, some grape growers continued to seek solutions, such as burying live toads under vines to absorb toxins, flooding vineyards, and using chemicals, but without success. Finally, Jules-Emile Planchon, a French botanist, suggested trying to graft European grapevines onto American rootstock, which inherently possessed Phylloxera resistance.

Initially, this concept faced resistance from traditional wine producers. However, with no other options, some grape growers experimented with this method. They performed thousands of trials, grafting European Vitis vinifera grapevines onto American Vitis rupestris and Vitis riparia rootstocks. Eventually, they succeeded in halting the wave of destruction, allowing the French wine industry to return to normalcy.

Nevertheless, the threat spurred scientific advancements, leading to a deeper understanding of pest management and the development of disease-resistant plant varieties.

Currently, Phylloxera remains the number one enemy of vineyards throughout Europe, as it has not completely disappeared. However, with improved vineyard management practices, grape growers can adapt and must meticulously care for their vineyards constantly.