Morocco

Morocco's wine industry, once thriving during Roman times, saw a decline for over a thousand years due to Muslim rule. However, the French played a significant role in revitalizing the country's viticulture during the colonial period, especially after Morocco came under French and Spanish control in 1912. With the country's independence in 1956, the new government introduced a quality-control system akin to the French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) system. In 1973, the industry was nationalized. Despite the challenges, Morocco's wine industry has experienced a resurgence since the 1990s, supported by international investments and vineyard-lease programs. Today, Morocco is the second-largest wine producer in the region. Though few wines bear the official Appellation d'Origine Garantie (AOG) designation, in 1998, Morocco established its first AOC, Les Coteaux de l'Atlas. This designation covers the regions of Sidi-Slimane, Mjat, and Boufekrane, located on the Atlantic-cooled slopes of the Atlas Mountains. The lime-rich clay soils, combined with dry, siliceous subsoil, create ideal conditions for viticulture, making this area particularly suited for winemaking.