Tuesday 02 September 2008
By Jean-Marie Le MaireIt’s in August, beneath a blazing sun, that the grape harvest begins in the Meknes region, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. In many fields, the wine grape harvest will last until the end of September.
The wine growing industry provides some twenty thousand farming jobs and more than ten thousand permanent jobs in the production, bottling and distribution sectors. But despite the state-of-the-art technology currently available, a traditional method is still used. The Cellars of Meknes, a company founded by Brahim Zniber, is by far the largest producer of wine in Morocco with almost 85% of the market.
After developing wines bearing the brand names ‘Guerrouane’ and ‘Beni M’Tir’, the Zniber family has been commercializing the brand-name ‘Chateau’ and hence created the first “controlled appellation of origin” in Morocco in 1998; in spite of this success the export figures remain very low in contrast with its direct competitor , the Lancel Group, which exports almost all of its production. Despite sales figures which almost reach 100 million euros in the wine-producing sector, Morocco is still confronted to long-standing paradoxes.
Alcohol consumption is prohibited in theory… But the 45 million euros which end up in the Moroccan Treasure (every year) sure help things out! Muslims are not supposed to drink alcohol yet, with an annual production of around 34 million bottles, 30 million are consumed each year inside the kingdom.
15/03/2009 23:44:11 Alert a moderator
Boozing Moroccans
By Aidan Webster - Morocco/Essaouira
It depends on what your priorities are and how much of a realist you are. I've been asked to research wine production here in Morocco and my first thought was - isn't it illegal? Yes it is but there are alot of tourists here that like to drink - at least it's not Mahia! A glass or two with a meal won't kill you and some say has health benefits. I personally drink very little when I'm here, but if it gives people jobs and security is that not a good thing?
01/03/2009 19:13:09 Alert a moderator
Moroccan wine
By Bill Nelson - Dublin, Ireland
Guerrouane is an excellent wine. Just tasted it last week for the 1st time and will compare it favourably with good Bordeaux. There's lots of Christians not supposed to do lots of things, but they do. So what if muslims drink wine? One of gods greatest gift to mankind is wine. Another gift is to share it with someone. Well done Maroc. bon continuation avec le vin.
10/09/2008 15:19:59 Alert a moderator
Moroccan Wine Industry
By nadim - London
It is out of ignorance that many people (if not the most) in the West believe that Muslim people do not drink wine. More important I want to know about the working conditions and the wages.
09/09/2008 11:43:39 Alert a moderator
Morocco's Wine production
By Helen - Gloucester
Yes I know that Morocco people are muslims and they are not supposed to drink alcohol. I am surprise to hear that Muslim people are working for Wine production in Morocco because they are muslims. I will find out more about it because I am not sure if it's allow for muslims working in Wine production.
I will reply back soon.
09/09/2008 11:19:42 Alert a moderator
Moroccan wine
By Maurice White - Scotland
What sort of range of varieties can you get in the UK, what is the average price for a bottle of Morrocan wine and which retailer(s) in the UK stocks it?