Spain

Viticulture in Spain has an ancient tradition, as vines were cultivated here at least 5,000 years ago. The Phoenicians founded the city of Gadir (Cádiz) around 1100 BC and traded heavily in wine in the Mediterranean region. The first flowering occurred in 200 BC, because the Romans loved the wine from Baetica (Andalusia). Development was halted by the Moorish invasion in 711. For religious reasons, the Muslims cleared large parts of the vineyards or only allowed the production of sultanas. They brought with them the art of distillation, which was not used for alcoholic beverages, however, but for essential oils, as scents and fragrances. It was only after 700 years that the Christians succeeded in reconquering and, advancing southwards, they planted new vineyards. As in many other countries, it was mostly Catholic monastic orders that planted vines near their monasteries for the preparation of Mass wine. In the following centuries, viticulture developed into an important economic and export branch. From the beginning of the 16th century, the conquistadors brought huge quantities of wine to the newly discovered America. The Spaniards planted European vines in many areas there and thus initiated viticulture on this continent, especially in Central and South America. They thus made a significant contribution in many countries of the New World.