"Nothing But Our Due!" (French edition): The Struggle of Winemakers in the Land of Muscadet (1891-1914) By René Bourrigaud

"Nothing But Our Due!" – The Struggle of Winemakers in the Land of Muscadet (1891-1914) is an essential book for enthusiasts of viticultural history, social struggle, and cultural heritage. Written by René Bourrigaud, a former agronomist turned lawyer and historian, this book unveils a pivotal period in the Nantes vineyard, marked by the phylloxera crisis and the fierce battles of winemakers to preserve their lands.

A Battle for the Land and Winemakers' Rights

At the end of the 19th century, the phylloxera, a tiny pest insect, devastated the Nantes vineyards. This catastrophe offered some landowners a cynical opportunity: to evict the winemakers under the pretext of land abandonment, hoping to reclaim their plots at lower costs. However, the winemakers, bound by the bail à complant, an ancestral contract from the Nantes region passed down through generations, did not give in.

Determined to defend their right to work and their family heritage, the winemakers organized with the support of the Nantes Labor Exchange. Together, they created defense unions and launched movements that resonated far beyond the borders of Nantes.

A Narrative Between Social and Technical History

Far from being limited to a simple legal confrontation, this book explores multiple aspects of the struggle:

• The battle against phylloxera, which forced winemakers to rethink their agricultural practices and adopt new cultivation techniques.
• Syndical strategies and worker solidarity that arose around this crisis.
• The political implications of this local conflict that eventually drew national attention.

René Bourrigaud succeeds in blending the personal and the collective, the local and the national, by shedding light on the social mechanisms that enabled the Nantes winemakers to resist.

A Rich Work for History Enthusiasts and Wine Lovers

"Nothing But Our Due!" is aimed at enthusiasts of rural history and social struggle as well as viticulture enthusiasts. This narrative highlights a little-known struggle that shaped the identity of the land of Muscadet. Between economic issues, agricultural challenges, and collective resistance, this book offers a deep insight into the complexity of relationships between landowners and agricultural workers at the turn of the century.

Why Read This Book?

Discover an unknown page of French viticultural history.

• Understand the social and economic dynamics around the Nantes vineyard.
• Explore the resistance of winemakers facing agricultural crises and attempts at expropriation.

Article Characteristics

• Title: Nothing But Our Due! – The Winemakers' Struggle in the Land of Muscadet (1891-1914)
• Author: René Bourrigaud
• Publisher: Centre d'histoire du travail
• Format: Paperback
• Number of pages: 185
• Language: French
• Publication Date: November 21, 2013
• Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 1 cm
• Weight: 360 g
• EAN13: 9782912228260
• ISBN: 978-2-912228-26-0

Delve into the history of the Nantes winemakers and discover their fierce struggle to defend their lands and viticultural expertise. A fascinating read between social history, viticultural technique, and local culture.