Monopole (wine)

Monopole (wine) is a term used in the wine industry to denote a vineyard owned entirely by a single winery. It is a concept that originated in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, where the practice of dividing vineyard land among heirs (a process known as partible inheritance) led to the fragmentation of the most famous vineyard areas.

History

The concept of a monopole vineyard has its roots in the Middle Ages, when many vineyards were owned by the Catholic Church. After the French Revolution, these lands were confiscated by the state and sold to private individuals, leading to the fragmentation of vineyard ownership. The concept of a monopole emerged as a way for a single winery to control an entire vineyard and, therefore, the quality of the wine produced.

Monopoles in Burgundy

In the Burgundy region, there are several famous monopole vineyards. One of the most well-known is the Romanée-Conti vineyard, owned by the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Other notable monopoles in Burgundy include Clos de Tart, La Tâche, and Clos des Lambrays.

Monopoles outside France

While the concept of a monopole originated in France, it has been adopted in other wine-producing regions around the world. In Germany, for example, the Scharzhofberger vineyard is a monopole of the Egon Müller winery. In Spain, the Vega Sicilia winery has a monopole over the Unico vineyard.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of a monopole is that it allows a winery to control all aspects of wine production, from the cultivation of the grapes to the vinification process. This can lead to a consistent and high-quality product. However, monopoles can also lead to a lack of diversity in the types of wine produced in a region, as a single winery may choose to focus on a particular style or grape variety.

See also

• Vineyard designation
• Appellation d'origine contrôlée
• Terroir