Items related to Phylloxera: How Wine was Saved for the World

Phylloxera: How Wine was Saved for the World - Softcover

 
9780007115365: Phylloxera: How Wine was Saved for the World

Synopsis

A historical investigation into the mysterious bug that wiped out the vineyards of France and Europe in the 1860s – and how one young botanist eventually ‘saved wine for the world’.

In the early 1860s, vines in the lower Rhône valley, and then around Bordeaux, inexplicably began to wither and die. Panic seized France, and Jules-Émile Planchon, a botanist from Montpellier, was sent to investigate. Magnifying glass in hand, he discovered the roots of a dying vine covered in microscopic yellow insects. The tiny aphid would be named Phylloxera vastatrix – 'the dry leaf devastator'. Where it had come from was utterly mysterious, but it advanced with the speed of an invading army. As the noblest vineyards of France came under biological siege, the world's greatest wine industry tottered on the brink of ruin. The grand owners fought the aphid with expensive insecticide, while peasant vignerons simply abandoned their ruined plots in despair. Within a few years the plague had spread across Europe, from Portugal to the Crimea.

Planchon, aided by the American entomologist Charles Riley, discovered that the parasite had accidentally been imported from America. He believed that only the introduction of American vines, which appeared to have developed a resistance to the aphid, could save France's vineyards. His opponents maintained that this would merely assist the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, encouraged by the French government's offer of a prize of 300,000 gold francs for a remedy, increasingly bizarre suggestions flooded in, and many wine-growing regions came close to revolution as whole local economies were obliterated. Eventually Planchon and his supporters won the day, and phylloxera-resistant American vines were grafted onto European root-stock. Despite some setbacks – the first fruits of transplanted American vines were universally pronounced undrinkable – by 1914 all vines cultivated in France were hybrid Americans.

Phylloxera is an entertaining, revealing and frequently astonishing account of one of the earliest and most successful applications of science to an ecological disaster.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Christy Campbell is an author, journalist and former defence correspondent and feature writer for the ‘Sunday Telegraph’, which he joined on the eve of the Gulf War. He is the author of ‘Phylloxera’, ‘Fenian Fire’ and ‘The Maharajah’s Box’.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Buy Used

Condition: Very Good
This book is in very good condition...
View this item

FREE shipping within United Kingdom

Destination, rates & speeds

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780007115358: Phylloxera: How Wine was Saved for the World

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0007115350 ISBN 13:  9780007115358
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2004
Hardcover

Search results for Phylloxera: How Wine was Saved for the World

Stock Image

Christy Campbell
Published by Harper Perennial 04/10/2010, 2010
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Softcover

Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780007115365

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3.42
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Christy Campbell
Published by Harper Perennial 04/10/2010, 2010
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Softcover

Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780007115365

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3.42
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Campbell, Christy
Published by Harper Perennial, 2004
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Softcover

Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # rev1295537021

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 1.43
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 2.20
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Campbell, Christy
Published by Harper Perennial, 2010
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Paperback

Seller: Brit Books, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 1245653

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3.67
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Campbell, Christy
Published by Harper Perennial, 2010
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Paperback

Seller: Brit Books, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 2154389

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3.67
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 4 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Christy Campbell
Published by HarperPerennial, 2004
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Paperback

Seller: Greener Books, London, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Collectible; Very Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # 4829657

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3.68
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Campbell, Christy
Published by Harper Perennial, 2004
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Softcover

Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. 1746822975. 5/9/2025 8:36:15 PM. Seller Inventory # U9780007115365

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 7.26
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Christy Campbell
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A historical investigation into the mysterious bug that wiped out the vineyards of France and Europe in the 1860s and how one young botanist eventually saved wine for the world. In the early 1860s, vines in the lower Rhone valley, and then around Bordeaux, inexplicably began to wither and die. Panic seized France, and Jules-Emile Planchon, a botanist from Montpellier, was sent to investigate. Magnifying glass in hand, he discovered the roots of a dying vine covered in microscopic yellow insects. The tiny aphid would be named Phylloxera vastatrix 'the dry leaf devastator'. Where it had come from was utterly mysterious, but it advanced with the speed of an invading army. As the noblest vineyards of France came under biological siege, the world's greatest wine industry tottered on the brink of ruin. The grand owners fought the aphid with expensive insecticide, while peasant vignerons simply abandoned their ruined plots in despair. Within a few years the plague had spread across Europe, from Portugal to the Crimea. Planchon, aided by the American entomologist Charles Riley, discovered that the parasite had accidentally been imported from America. He believed that only the introduction of American vines, which appeared to have developed a resistance to the aphid, could save France's vineyards. His opponents maintained that this would merely assist the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, encouraged by the French government's offer of a prize of 300,000 gold francs for a remedy, increasingly bizarre suggestions flooded in, and many wine-growing regions came close to revolution as whole local economies were obliterated. Eventually Planchon and his supporters won the day, and phylloxera-resistant American vines were grafted onto European root-stock. Despite some setbacks the first fruits of transplanted American vines were universally pronounced undrinkable by 1914 all vines cultivated in France were hybrid Americans. Phylloxera is an entertaining, revealing and frequently astonishing account of one of the earliest and most successful applications of science to an ecological disaster. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001651160

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 4.56
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 2.80
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 6 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Campbell, Christy
Published by Harper Perennial, 2004
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
New Softcover

Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 2607857-n

Contact seller

Buy New

£ 13.12
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Campbell, Christy
Published by Harper Perennial, 2004
ISBN 10: 0007115369 ISBN 13: 9780007115365
New Softcover

Seller: Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: New. In. Seller Inventory # ria9780007115365_new

Contact seller

Buy New

£ 13.13
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: Over 20 available

Add to basket

There are 21 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book