Terroir, Institutions and Improvements in European Wine History: An Introduction

The European wine market was shaped by three actors: producers, sellers and public authorities (municipalities, countries and the European Union): different wine markets were (and are) depending on price and quality and from consumers’ regional customs and tastes. This essay outlines the emergence of modern viticulture in France and its development in Italy (which became one of the first producers), explaining how many European regions followed the way and improved the sector thanks to the international diffusion of the know-how concerning winegrowing and winemaking.