In the 7th before J.C., the Gallics were unaware of the vine growing. It is about in the middle of this century that the first Etruscan merchants propose to the local populations jars of wine in exchange of metals. Arriving on the same boats, soon after, are jars of Greek wine. Consumption diversifies.
Towards year 600 before J.C., the diffusion of Greek wines took importance more and more and will lead to the starting of the first Gaulois vineyard in Marseilles.
The vineyard of Marseilles will experience an exclusive prosperity during 400 years; then, the Italian wines will dominate the Gaulois market.
The wine economy of the South takes its rise starting from the reign of Auguste. The légionnaires veterans receive grounds in the Narbonne region on which they cultivate vine.

These wines were exported throughout the Mediterranean basin in amphoras. Some amphoras carrying the inscription " Wine of Béziers " were found in Rome.

In the Middle Ages, the region will experience a period of prosperity. Two factors contribute primarily to this development:

The religious factor:

The monks constructors of the Middle Ages play a determining part in the development of the plantations of vine. Very often, before building a church, one sought initially a ground where one could plant vine. In 1531, a monk discovers the transformation of the still wine into effervescent wine. The world's first Brut was born; named today Blanquette and Crémant of Limoux.

The democratic and corporative factor

If the Middle Ages of the North of France is often described as an obscurantist era where the peasant is controlled and dominated, it was not the same in the South of France. The peasants could acquire the lands which they cultivated. The owners, no matter the size of the expoitation could group and form Corporations. The corporations establishing contacts with each other and thus supporting the development of trade. The products of the vineyards are then exported towards Italy, England and France.
Documents of the time evoke the life and development of vineyards in Languedoc-Roussillon. The Clairette of Languedoc is found in the accounts of the wine waiter of Louis XI who distinguishes the Cleratz (soft white wine) and the Picquardentz (dry white wine).
Unfortunately, this period of prosperity will end at the beginning of the 13th century at the time of the crusade against the Cathares.
In 1229, part of Lower-Languedoc is acquired by France, the remainder then in 1271. Following therafter is the War 100 Years...

The Religious wars

The troubles begin in 1562. Western Languedoc remains Catholic while the Cevennes and the littoral of Lower-Languedoc are Calvinist. This war of religion will ruin the region. A certain period of ' relaxation ' reigns after the conversion of Henri IV. The cultivation of vine restarts. In the middle of the 17th C., Louis XIV wishes a port for the Languedoc region. The construction of the Port of Sète starts in 1666. The Trade quickly becomes important there with the principal activity being the export of wines and alcohols.

The construction of the Canal du Midi by Pierre-Paul Riquet at the end of 17th C. will open the way for the transport of the wines and alcohols, even towards Holland.

During first half of the XIX th C., the Languedocian vine growing will make important strides. This development is due mainly to the invention of a student of Montpellier named Edouard Adam who develops the still. This invention will allow to increase viticultural exports under a lower volume. At same time, the railroad contributes to the development of trade. To meet demands, production increases. The ports of Sète and Marseilles export more and more. In the middle of the XIXth C. the Mediterranean vine growing is flourishing.
Between 1852 and 1873 vine is touched by the oïdium (mushroom microscopic) and phylhoxéra (insect). In 1873, 75% of the vineyard are destroyed. The researchers end up noting that this insect comes from America and especially that over there, the young vines resist the parasite. The solution would thus consist of importing American seedlings on which one would graft the French seedlings. At the price of long and expensive efforts, the vineyard will be reconstituted.

In 1878, a new plague for the vine makes its appearance, the mildew, parasitic of American origin. In 1885, the " Pulp Of Bordeaux " is developed (containing copper sulfate). At the end of XIXth century, the vineyard returned to a ' normal ' production.

These three plagues touched the vineyard but they also contributed to the birth of solidarity among the vine growers; a ' trade unionist spirit '. In 1884 the trade unions are officially recognized and about 1900 the first co-operative cellars are created.

In June 1907, nearly a million people meet in Montpellier. It is the showdown with the government of Clémenceau. Central power facing a very strong regionalistic opposition. Brawls burst between the police force and the demonstrators.

In the days which follow Clémenceau had arrested some of the leaders of the movement. On June 19, soldiers shoot at crowds at Narbonne. A few days later, some soldiers join the revolt. It now becomes a true uprising. Clémenceau wants to get shot one demonstrator out of ten but a General forwards a reassuring message to Clémenceau who gives up his criminal measures. Louis Blanc, on his part, convinced the soldiers to regain their barracks.

A few days later, the 29 Juin 1907, a law is voted at the Assembly. This law goes further than the law of 1905 and attacks the fraud in all aspects. A tax is imposed on sugars and glucoses.
The vine growers finally gained their combact at the price of a revolt and human lives.