home > soil > local products > the wines from uzège





2000-year-old vineyards

Vines were introduced in the region in the 6th century BC by the Phoenicians and the Greeks and were largely developed by the Romans in the 1st century AD. Until the 19th century, vineyards (and olive trees) covered the sunny hillsides. Following the crises caused by oidium and phylloxera, grapes became the essential crop in the Uzège. Now recognised as a quality wine through the Vin de Pays Duché d'Uzès label, which was awarded in 1989, it seems likely that A.O.C status will soon follow….
Today the cooperative wine cellars and independent « cavistes » produce recognised quality wines…. The winegrowers will be pleased to welcome you for a wine tasting. Every Thursday in summer they can be found with their produce at the Tourist Office and in August you can find them at the Foire aux vins d'Uzès.

Photo by Aline Perier

Monsieur d'Uzès vineyards
In the olden days, the bishops of Uzès had vineyards that extended below the bishop's palace and down to the river. In the 15th century, one of them, Monsieur d'Uzès, decided that he would give a carafe of his wine as a New Year present to all the newly weds who had managed to get through a whole year without quarrelling. Hence the French expression « they want to win Monsieur d'Uzès wine ».