The semi-presidential Republic of Algeria (Arabic: الجزائر al-Jazā'ir) in north-west Africa with the capital Algiers (al-Ǧazāʾir, meaning "the islands") covers 2,381,741 km². It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Mauritania, Morocco and the Western Sahara claimed by Morocco to the west, Mali and Niger to the south and Libya and Tunisia to the east. The former French colony gained independence after the end of the Algerian War (1954-1962). The country's motto, shown in Arabic below the flag on the right, reads "By the people and for the people".
History
As in many other Mediterranean countries, the Phoenicians and Greeks laid the foundations for Algerian viticulture. In the middle of the 7th century, the Arabs conquered North Africa. With the ban on alcohol now in force, viticulture came to a standstill. From 1830, the French began to conquer the country. As a result, numerous French settlers poured into the country and also brought vines with them. This led to the resumption of the wine trade, which turned out to be an important part of the Algerian economy. The largest expansion of the vineyard area was reached in 1938 with 400,000 hectares.
This was mainly simple bulk wine for blending purposes in France. After independence was gained in 1962, a ban was imposed on exports to France. Large areas of vineyards were rededicated to the cultivation of grain and the production of table grapes was stepped up. Most of the vineyards became the property of co-operatives. Agriculture is only possible on a narrow strip in the north, with the Algerian Sahara making up around 85% of the land area.
Viticulture
The wine-growing areas are located near the coast at up to 1,200 metres above sea level (Médea), most of them in the vicinity of the coastal capital Algiers. The climate is favourable for viticulture and is characterised by summers with little rainfall and winters with plenty of precipitation. The appellation system modelled on the French AOC is called AOG (Appellation d'Origine Garantie). Seven areas are recognised as quality wine-growing zones by the state authority ONCV, located in the two provinces of Alger in the east and Oran in the west. The majority of the red wines produced are rich in colour and alcohol. There are production regulations with grape varieties, alcohol content, etc.
- Ain-Bessem-Bouir: south-east of Algiers near the towns of Ain-Bessem and Bouira, vineyards at 500 metres above sea level with limestone and slate soils, strong red wines as well as high-alcohol and fruity rosé wines
- Côteaux de Mascara: on a limestone plateau, the red and white wines are among the best
- Coteaux de Tlemcen: in the north-west near the border with Morocco, limestone-rich soils
- Côteaux du Zaccar: south-west of Algiers around Miliana, vineyards at 400 to 900 metres above sea level on clay and limestone soils
- Haut Dahra: around Algiers, vineyards at 600 metres above sea level
- Médéa: south of Algiers, vineyards at 600 to 1200 metres above sea level on sandy or marly soils
- Monts du Tessalah: in the north-west near Sidi bel Abbès
The long-lasting red wine "Cuvée du President", which is blended from different varieties and vintages, is considered the best product. The distinctive black bottle label is adorned with a large amphora. A well-known Algerian branded wine is "Sidi Brahim", which is bottled or packaged in bag-in-boxes. Wine is produced almost exclusively for export to France, the main customer, as the Islamic ban on alcohol applies to 99% of the population. Algeria is the world's third largest supplier of cork after Portugal and Spain.
Grape variety index
In 2022, the vineyards covered 65,261 hectares and the wine production volume was only 193,000 hectolitres. The majority is used for the production of table grapes and sultanas. The grape variety index (Kym Anderson statistics):
Map: © Goruma
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