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A Special International Report
Prepared by
The Washington Times
Advertising Department - Published on July 2, 1999
[Home Page]
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Advertisers (1) Sonatrach,
An International Petroleum Group
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Wine growing provides export income
Vines were planted in the Zaccar region, in Medea, Tlemcen and Mascara. The varieties were sturdy and most vineyards planted were in the mountains at an altitude of between 500 to 1000 meters, more often for table grapes than for wine. When the French came they brought Ugni, Cinsault, Morvedre, Alicante, Bouschet, Plante Mula and cabernet. Algeria has never known the Phylloxera, so while the French vineyards were practically decimated by the epidemic in the middle of the 19th century Algeria retained its stock. Even today the country's diverse varieties are protected from the disease by the sandy soil which stops the proliferation of the insect. Wine growing has had varied fortunes. Almost neglected until the arrival of the French in 1830, it became a major industry until their departure, reaching a peak of 400,000 hectares and 22 million hectoliters in 1938.
After a short decline and a radical change of policy it took off again and today represents a valuable source of income for the country. Before independence wines were made to be blended with the production of other countries. Since Algeria has decided to produce its own distinctive wines. The ONCV - the National Marketing Office for Viticultural Products - exports throughout the world and has recently launched a special marketing campaign in the US. Some 75% of the national production is exported. The president of the ONCV, Mr. Said Mebarki, said: "We have always exported our wine - nearly all Europe, and we have a market from more than 10 years in Canada. “We have two importers now in the US. We bottle our wine for export now. “In the beginning Algerian wine was produced according to the French system, by an assembly of cepages. “Now we have a policy which is made for international markets - our first function is to export wine. “To adapt we know that there are markets in the US which want single cepage wines. The US market is the biggest in the world and interests us very much. “We are trying to reach the whole US because we know that when you are on the American market you are in all the markets of the world. "We have our own special character - we will be making single variety wines, but today we are exporting our own wines which have their own qualities and are well known and have a certain quality/price ratio. "Our wines have their own characteristic taste which come from the soil and the sun, the heat. Algeria is one of the oldest wine producing countries of the world. “What interests us today is to work on such an big market as that in the US. We have prospected for three or four years which is beginning to pay off; we have taken part in several contests. “With our importer we are trying to make our products known and promote sales on the US market. “We also produce and export a fortified wine the Bourgi, and we also produce a pastis. The commercial director of the ONCV Mr Farouk Mechik said: "Before beginning to export we had to get permission for the packaging. There are certain things which must be mentioned on the labels,. We are already represented in Wisconsin. Our first results are very encouraging. It is likely to take off very quickly. “As to competition - you choose a Californian wine as you would choose a French wine as you will soon choose an Algerian wine. For this year we have set a very modest target. We think we shall send 20,000 cases. We have a production of 500 to 600,000 hectoliters which is going to rise. In six years time we shall be producing 1,500,000 hectoliters." We have exactly the same soil as in California, but more rain. We are going to produce a biological wine as well. The ONCV has plans to expand its plantations massively in the next few years. The ONCV has 12 bottling plants, 3 distilleries, 4 wine exporting stores and four wine pipeliness at Benif-Saf, Oran, Mostaganem and Algiers. Its wines include Medea, Ain Bessem-Bouira, Coteaux du Zaccar, Coteaux de Mascara, Dahra, Monts du Tessala, Coteaux de Tlemcen, Cuvee dur President, Khayyam, Montagne des Lions, Dahroussa, Alicante d'Oranie, Fontaine du Genie, Nadim and Trappe. Its liqueur and dessert wines include Bordji, La Treille-Muscat and La Treille-Grenache. |
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Table of Contents (1) His Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria (2) Country has resources and potential and is moving toward peace (3) History (4) Stability predictable for Algeria (5) Terrorism is costly - in lives and finances (7) Despite being free, press sometimes is silenced (8) Local bidders and foreign investors being courted (9) Despite previous problems, economic future is bright (10) Institutions (11) Director-General sees light as country comes out of tunnel (12) Housing shortage creates enormous market for homebuilders (13) Bureaucracy remains a major barrier to investment (14) Algeria is gateway to Africa (15) A country made for Tourism (16) A Rich Heritage in Arts and Crafts (17) Casbah's unique beauty to be restored (18) Algeria Facts (19) Privatization goes forward with progress, challenges (20) Country rich in resources, civilization, ambition (21) World renowned hotel carries proud past of history and wealth (22) Fight against terrorism has helped world (23) Banking reforms, foreign investment moving quickly (24) World Bank senses new optimism in Algeria (25) Algerian-American Chamber of Commerce meets to promote trade relations (26) Ministry of Labor promotes programs to reduce unemployment (27) Agriculture potential is tremendous, but investment is needed (28) Algeria adopts new programs to solve water shortages (29) Wine growing provides export income (30) Petroleum companies aware of potential says Sonatrach CEO (31) About Sonatrach (32) Bright future ahead for oil industry (33) Huge oil resources will last for many years (34) The place of small industry in the economy (35) Country's first Bourse to open soon (36) ONAB encourages investors to grasp potential in Algeria (37) The El-Aurassi Hotel plans to go public (38) Enad hopes to partner with leading detergent producers (39) ENGG strives to improve refining system and attract foreign investment (40) Agricultural Bank plans expansion (41) Vehicle manufacturer seeks further investment |
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The
Romans used Algeria as their vineyard, prolonging a history of viticulture which began way
before their times. In the 12th Century, the Arabs introduced varieties from Egypt and
Northern Arabia and later the Spanish and Portuguese were responsible for the arrival of
such varieties as Macabeo, Rosalda de Tolca, Criolla, Mataro, grenache and the Turks for
Chaouch and Khalili. 