Wine and wine making

In vino veritas

Being always in direct contact with tourists, we realized that there is a great deal of interest in winemaking in Tunisia with an almost complete absence of competent information about the industry. As a result, the tourists only have limited choice of wines offered by the General supermarkets. By no means do we doubt the quality of the wines the supermarkets sell but we decided that our guests should not be deprived of pleasure of tasting the splendid wines that are already famous worldwide! After all, the Tunisians have achieved a lot in winemaking and many things to be proud of and cater for even the most demanding connoisseurs.

Compiling material for this article, we sought to expand your horizons with curious facts from the history of wine production as well as provide you with some bits of practical advice. Which wines will satisfy the most exacting connoisseurs? What is the perfect temperature for wine to reveal all of its quality? Which hors d'oeuvres will accentuate the bouquet? And where to buy the wines that interest you most? All this will be the subject of today's discourse. Enjoy the details. We will be more than happy if our advice helps you to touch the culture and traditions of Tunisian winemaking and return home with marvelous gifts.

The wine chronicles

As the saying goes, you can feel the history of Tunisia by just taking a few sips of a local wine. In Tunisia, the art of wine growing and winemaking dates back to early antiquity. Wine production was already flourishing during the Carthaginian and Roman times.

The agronomist Magon, who lived in Carthage at the time of the Phoenicians, recorded in his Treatise of Agronomy viticulture, wine producing practices that were then translated into Latin and became popular in Rome. They are still in use nowadays. Magon gave a detailed description of winemaking in North Africa, above all in Tunisia. Apropos, one of the best Tunisian wines is Vieux Magon, named in honour of the agronomist.

The ancestors of the modern Tunisians, the Phoenicians were not only great winemakers. They were also very successful glassmakers, and believed to have been pioneers in glass blowing. The ancestor of today's bottle, the first Phoenician glass vessel was made as early as circa 1000 AD.

Curiously enough, the contemporary Tunisian culture of winemaking is based not on the Phoenician but rather French tradition. Despite the ancient Carthaginian traditions, after the Arabian invasion in the early VIII century, winemaking viticulture yielded to growing of table varieties.

The revival came only in 1881 when Tunisia became a French protectorate. The French, Italian and Maltese arriving to the country admired its environment favorable for winemaking and the climate - soft and relatively warm in winter but hot and sunny during the other seasons. The French set eagerly about restoring Tunisian wine production. They built estates and wineries surrounded with vineyards; they also brought over French technologies and traditional vine varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

The basic variety used in the local wine produce - about 60% of the entire planting - is Carignan, also imported by the French. After the independence, the Tunisians built new wineries and got their own production going.

Today, besides the local winemakers, wine production in Tunisia is shared between companies from France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the USA.

The wine empire

The export geography of Tunisian wines is vast: France, Belgium, Canada, Japan, USA, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Holland, Poland, Switzerland, and Senegal. Wines from Tunisia are exported either under original trademark or in barrels because a part of Tunisian wine produce is sold to the customer under other, sometimes very famous brand names. So you must have already tried a Tunisian wine while believing it was French. Yet another transformation occurs to exported Tunisian wines abroad-not only do they change their names but also their prices, which increase considerably. However, French wines of similar standard are much more expensive. Perhaps this is the reason why many tourists from France (and almost every third tourist in Tunisia is French!) candidly admit that it is not just sunbathing but rather and above all the sun-filled wines that they come to this wonderful country for.

Indeed, it is fairly easy for admirers of the French wine culture to take in Tunisian drinks. Tunisian wine legislation was established on the model of France's, with the names of wines given according to their place of origin - Appelation d'Origine Controlee (AOC). This regulation of local names and places of origins is officially recognized by the EU.

Peculiarities of the national winemaking

Are you wondering what kind of quality one could expect from wines originating in a Muslim country? But the quality is excellent!

Most of Tunisia's vineyards grow on hillsides blessed with an average annual temperature that never rises above 20° and with a rainfall ranging between 250 and 500 mm a year. Thanks to a warm climate, the Tunisian vine is rich in sugar while many Tunisian wines are deep in flavour.

Most of the vineyards are more than a hundred years old and nothing else enhances the prestige of a wine more than vine age. Some of the varieties of vine growing in Tunisia are no longer cultivated in their home country, France. Tunisian wines have other essential advantages. Wine produced in many countries consists mainly of varietals i.e. wines made from just one grape variety. This is good for promotion, as apparently it makes easier for the customer to make their choice in favors of one drink or another. Yet most of Tunisian wines are blended - as in France, they are made from a blend of varieties, and such wines are valued much more by connoisseurs.

By and large, Tunisian wines are of similar palatability to wines from France. But while French winemakers are a conservative lot, their Tunisian counterparts are not afraid to experiment, blending different, sometimes conflicting from a conservative point of view, grape varieties to create new original bouquets. Numerous awards of  international tradeshows have proved the success of such experiments. Here are only a few of the awards: Le Chateau de Bou Argoub - Brussel, 2003, 2nd prise. Ifrikia - Viena, 2004, 2nd prise Vieux Magon - Strasbourg, 2005, 1st prise Le Grand Patron - Viena, 2006, 3rd prise Punikeu - Milano, 2007, 3rd prise.

Furthermore, you may rest assured of the high quality and authenticity of a Tunisian wine you purchase. The Tunisian state has an alcohol monopoly in the country. All wine made by private producers is subject to strict state control before it hits the shelves of the General supermarkets or gets sold at local restaurants and hotels.

Some unusual rules of alcohol consumption in Tunisia are also worth mentioning. When home you can enjoy the alcohol you have bought at a shop or a tasting room. Yet if you order a bottle of wine in a restaurant you cannot take it with you after the meal even if it has not been finished. If the authorities find out that this rule has been violated, the restaurant will be heavily fined and its license taken away.

However, most respectable establishments of clients the possibility of leaving a broached bottle to be kept at the restaurant until the next visit. Your name is written on the label and the amount of wine remaining is marked on the bottle. This service is provided free of charge.

The territory of wine

Tunisian vineyards are located mostly in the north of the country, especially on Cape Bon Peninsula. The most tepid winemaking areas are on the coast. In the Bizerta region, breezes from the ocean and unusually cool clay soils the favor growing of high quality white wines, well balanced red wine and a remarkable sweet Muscat - a special Tunisian wine known perhaps since the times of Carthage. Dry Muscat wines are the signature wines of the Cape Bon region located on the east coast.

The western vineyards of Jendouba to the South of Beja lie in the hottest region of Tunisia. At the modern production facilities of vineyards in seaside Mornage in the South West and Teburba in the West powerful red wines with deep aromas are produced. Teburba is also famous for its light rose Gris de Tunis proprietor wines.

The Tunisians not only make great wines they also know how to enjoy the gorgeous drink. Bright and festive is the annual wine festival in September in Grombalia. The towns has indeed a special attitude towards wine - no wonder its central square houses an interesting monument to the grape-vine.

The chateau Bacchus

You can try Tunisian wines at many restaurants and tasting rooms at the local wineries. However, you should go to Hammamet to feel the soul of the noble drink. There, just a 15-minute drive from the town centre, the splendid Chateau Bacchus overlooks vast vineyards from a commanding hill.

A stunning panorama of the country's most prestigious vineyard opens to a viewer from the Castle halls. This center of wine production built at the beginning of the last century by Armando Garcia, an Italian winemaker of Spanish origin is visited each year by thousands of tourists. It is no wonder that the Bacchus Castle is so popular. The standard of event arrangements is so exceptional that it is not a rare occasion for persons of high standing such as foreign diplomats and consuls to hold formal receptions and meetings there. When receiving quests from their home countries, they consider it necessary to include the Chateau Bacchus on the visit program.

All this makes the Castle of Wine in Hammamet a tourist must-see. Do not miss the opportunity - at the Castle you can try an exhaustive selection of local wines reflecting all the wealth and worth of this blessed region. The unlimited tasting also includes the widest possible choice of hors d'oeuvres both salty and sweet: cheeses, olives, fruits, national Tunisian sweets. By the way, it is worth remembering that sweets make wine taste insipid while spicy food improves the flavour.

Set a whole day aside for a visit to the Chateau. You are welcome to an educational excursion to the winery by the Castle wall.

The wine catalogue

Of all the catalogues in the world the Tunisians like wine catalogues most. They believe a good wine is a drink to be sipped and savored to be enjoyed responsibly, and… with measure. Only this way could wine bring the pleasure it was meant for. The wine assortment in Tunisia is tremendous and hard to squeeze into the scope of just one article. So today we would like to have your attention for but a part of the wines which we consider worth the notice of true wine lovers.

White wines

Muscat De Bou-Argoub. A select wine with an alcohol percentage of 11% made of Muscat grapes (muscadine). It is of pale yellow-golden colour. Served chilled at 8°C and recommended both as an aperitif and for dessert.

Blanc Tradition. An original brand of 11,5% alcohol percentage made of 70% Razegui and 30% Chardonnay grapes. Served chilled at 8°C with dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine rich in fish and seafood.

Dune Chardonnay. An original brand of 12,5% made of 100% Chardonnay grapes. This wine has everything to seduce: fine colour and delicate fragrance of freshness and vine. Best served chilled at just about 9°C accompanied by seafood, fish, fresh vegetables, roast meat and cheese.

Ifrikia Blanc. A select wine of the best quality with an alcohol level of 12,5%. Produced from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Razegui wine grapes. Served chilled at 8°C. The wine is a perfect companion to light cheeses, seafood and fish.

Muscat De Kelibia. An original brand with an alcohol level of 11,5% from the ancient Muscat of Alexandria variety. It has a floral fragrance and delicate fruit taste. Serve chilled at just 8°C as aperitif or together with seafood.

Un Blanc Sucre. This wine made exclusively for guests of the Château Bacchus and cannot be found elsewhere. Perfect choice as an aperitif or to accompany a dessert.

Rose wines

Gris De Bou-Argoub. An original brand with an alcohol level of 12%. A combination of 50% Alicante and 50% Cinsault grapes. A perfect summer wine to be served chilled just below 10°C and accompany sea foods.

Chateau Bou-Argoub. An original brand with an alcohol percentage of 12% made of 50% Carignana and 50% Cinsault grape varieties. The wine has a tender, fresh and dry taste with a pleasant aftertaste. Serve at 8°C with fresh vegetables, fish and seafood.

Ifrikia Rose. One of the best in Tunisia, with an alcohol level of 12,5%, made of Carignana grapes. Serve chilled at 10°C. Perfect addition to seafood and fish.

Chateau Mornag. An original brand with an alcohol level of 11,5% made of mixture of Cinsault, Carignana and Grenache varieties. The wine is a shade of pink, with a hint of pomegranate in its flavour. Served chilled at 8°C. Recommended for meat dishes.

Un Rose Sucre. This wine is made exclusively for guests of the Château Bacchus and cannot be found elsewhere. Perfect choice as an aperitif or a dessert wine.

Red wines

Dune Syrah. A select wine with an alcohol level of 12% made from the Syrah variety. The taste is very nice and wonderfully warm. Serve chilled at 18°C. Goes well with red meat.

Chateau Bou-Argoub. An original brand with an alcohol level of 12% made of 80% Carignana and 20% Syrah grapes. A red wine of excellent quality. Serve chilled at below 20°C with cold meat cuts.

Sidi Mansour. An original brand with an alcohol level of 12% made of 60% Carignana, 20% Syrah and 20% Merlot grapes. This wine boasts a full and harmonious taste and is rich in tannins. Serve chilled at 18°C with beef and cheese.

Cuvee Des Chasseurs. An original brand made of 50% Carignana, 10% Merlot and 40% Syrah grape variations, with an alcohol level of 12%. A magnificent wine with inimitable taste. Serve chilled at 18°C with red meat and especially with game.

Ifrikia Rouge. A splendid, select wine with an alcohol level of 13,5% made of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignana. Serve chilled at 20°C. Goes well with red meat and roast meat cuts.

Punique Rouge. A magnii cent combination of two grape varieties, Syrah and Carignana, with an alcohol level of 13,3%. Serve chilled at 20°C with roast meats cut, mutton and game.

Prestige De Mornag. An original brand with an alcohol level of 12%. A combination of Carignana, Syrah and Merlot vines. A deep colour with a shade of purple and elegant classic flavour. Serve chilled at below 18°C with red meat, roast meat cuts and game.

Un Rouge Sucre. This wine is made exclusively for guests of the Chateau Bacchus and cannot be found elsewhere. Perfect choice as an aperitif or a dessert wine.