| During the Roman Empire, the wine cultivation | | | | the roots of the vines. This was a major setback |
| extended to such a degree that there was a | | | | to the wine production of France and continued to |
| surplus. Due to this, in AD 92, an emperor passed | | | | be so until about 1880, when replanting vines along |
| a decree stating that all vineyards outside of Italy | | | | with the grafting of European vines into American |
| be uprooted. This led to quite a bit of loss and | | | | rootstock proved to be a good solution to the |
| later, when replanting was allowed, vineyards | | | | problem. |
| came up in many European countries including | | | | French Wine also suffered economically due to |
| France, Germany and England. The Middle Ages | | | | the two World Wars which led to a drastic |
| however, saw little progress in the field of wine | | | | reduction in the quality of French wine. As a result |
| cultivation. | | | | of this, the Appellation d'Origine Controlee |
| It was only after 1200 AD that many of the | | | | (meaning "regulated origin name") or the A.O.C |
| French monasteries managed the wine cultivation. | | | | was devised. The A.O.C outlined the standards |
| The French nobility also owned and cultivated | | | | and laws regarding modern wine production and |
| many vineyards. Later, as a result of the French | | | | aided in defining the grape growing regions as well |
| revolution, the Church was not given any power | | | | as protected the quality of wine production. The |
| in cultivating and maintaining the vineyards. In the | | | | A.O.C was instrumental in redeeming France's |
| 1800's, the French wine industry suffered yet | | | | reputation for wine production and also in |
| again as the French vineyards were attacked by | | | | determining the standards for quality and |
| many diseases, but was mainly infested by | | | | consistency within the wine market in France. |
| phylloxera, which is a small insect that destroys | | | | |