MOROCCAN WINE
The mystery of grey wine! Introducing the wines and vineyards of Morocco.
When you think of wine, you may imagine a crisp French Chardonnay or an intense Spanish Rioja. However, did you know that some of the most delicious wines in the world come from Morocco?
As Morocco is predominantly Muslim, you may not think it has a strong viticultural tradition… but you’d be pleasantly surprised. In fact, the country produces an incredible 40 million bottles of vino a year!
Join us as we look at Morocco’s illustrious winemaking history, as well as some of the most delicious wines to put in your shopping basket.
The history of Moroccan wine
Although there is evidence of the Phoenicians and Romans growing grapes in Moroccan soil, the country came to winemaking prominence in the early 20th century.
1912 and 1956 it was the French Protectorate in Morocco, and it was then that we saw the growth of vineyards and the wine manufacturing industry. After all, the French do enjoy their vin! Aphids had destroyed Europe’s vineyards at the turn of the 1900s, so the French were keen to find new places to grow grapes. They discovered that the balmy Moroccan weather and cool ocean breezes were perfect conditions for vineyards! At its peak in the 1950s, Morocco was producing over 350 million bottles of wine a year. Although wine production dropped off when the French left and Morocco became independent again, there was a resurgence in the 2000s. This was due to the growth of tourism and foreign investment.
Morocco’s wineries and vineyards
Morocco is split into five wine regions:
Meknès/Fès (Meknès is seen as the most well-known and most prolific region out of the five)
Rabat/Casablanca (this is regarded as the second-most prolific region, as well as a popular area for tourists to come and enjoy wine tasting sessions)
The East
The Northern Plain
El-Jadida •Each region contains several wine-growing areas, which are known as appellations.
Fourteen of these appellations have been granted Appellation d’Origine Garantie (AOG) status and one, (Côteaux de l’Atlas 1er cru in Meknès) has Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status. This means these areas produce wines to exceptionally high standards. It also grants them protected status, meaning that people can’t claim that wines come from these areas fraudulently. Morocco has many prestigious vineyards and wineries, all with rich histories. For example, Domaine Ouled Thaleb is in the Rabat/ Casablanca region and is one of Morocco’s oldest vineyards. Not only does the vineyard grow most of its own grapes on-site, but because the area is much cooler than other vineyards in Morocco, the grapes have a very distinct taste.Another high-profile winery is Domaine de la Zouina in Meknès, which was established in the 1920s. It has an 85-hectare vineyard and is where Volubilia is made, which is said by many to be one of the best wines Morocco has to offer.
How the grapes are harvested
Many vineyards still use traditional methods, including harvesting the grapes by hand.
Not only does this help grow the economy and provide jobs for many people, but it also improves the taste of the wine, as only the highest-quality grapes are used.
Harvesting season in Morocco starts at the end of May, although this can change slightly depending on the weather conditions.
The best wines on the market
Morocco is known for producing a wide variety of different wines. Red wine is the most popular, with three out of four bottles made with red grapes. Traditional red grapes used include Alicante, Carigan, Cinsaut and Grenache. More continental grape types like Merlot and Syrah are also becoming more popular.
Red wines are generally seen as fruity, intense and rich – infused with heady spices.
White wines are often fresh and citrusy, with common grape varieties including Muscat and Clairette Blanche.
If you’re new to the world of Moroccan wines, here are some that you should check out!
Volubilia Rosé – Fruity peach, apricot, fig… Highly recommended.
Bonassia Cabernet Sauvignon – a full-bodied rich red with a fruity aftertaste
Syrah du Maroc Tandem – an intense smoky red. This wine is a 2011 vintage
Halana Syrah Rosé – a flowery and fruity number that goes well with a wide range of different foods
Château Roslane ‘Les Coteaux de L’Atlas’ – a 2012 Chardonnay that is toasty and floral
Le Val D’Argan, Roussane – a 2015 white which is zesty and crispThe mystery of grey wineYou’ve heard of red, white and rosé… but have you heard of grey wine? Morocco is famous for its Vin Gris – a wine that is part white and part rosé. With its pale color and light flavor, it has to be tasted to be believed!Vin gris is made from red grapes (pinot noir grapes are popular). When the grapes are crushed, the juice is immediately removed from the skin, which gives the wine its distinctive color and taste. The wines delicate taste perfectly complements traditional Moroccan fare like couscous and grilled fish.
Where to find Moroccan wine?
Even though Moroccan law bans the sale of alcohol to Muslims, wine can be easily found and purchased in supermarkets, restaurants and riads.
About 85% of wine grown in Morocco is drunk in the country. The remaining 15% is exported to countries like France, Spain, England and the US.
Alex holding a bottle of Le Gris in Marrakech, Morocco.
@alexstillwell78
In fact, did you know that Morocco is the second-largest African wine exporter after South Africa?
In 2013, a campaign was launched by vineyard Domaine Ouled Thaleb to encourage Americans to discover Moroccan wines or, ‘new wines from the old world’.
Other Moroccan tipples
As well as wine, did you know that Morocco is also well known for brewing beer? After all, hops thrive in sunny climates!
Although international beers like Heineken are popular in Morocco, there are also a lot of great local beers including Flag Spéciale, Stork and Casablanca Beer, which (unsurprisingly!) is brewed in Casablanca.
In conclusion
Morocco’s wine industry has come a long way in the space of a century. Originally taking its steer from the French ex-pats that landed on its shores, Moroccan wines have now received awards and accolades worldwide!
If you haven’t given Moroccan wines a try yet, we’d recommend giving them a go. Whether you choose a spicy red or a refreshing Vin gris, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t give them a try sooner. Cheers, or b’Saha as the Moroccans say!
