The author has significant knowledge on the subject and works with many sources. The book shows France's efforts in colonial Algeria and the imposition of the French presence through many instruments, but also through the economy and wine production. Despite the dry style of writing and presenting facts, there is a lot of useful information for those interested in colonial Algeria and the French occupation. It is also interesting to understand that after the withdrawal of France, Algerian wine declined due to the loss of the French market, but the Algerians still reached the Soviet market.

As someone interested in the modern history of Algeria, I approached this book with curiosity, which was partially rewarded.
The book focuses on a rather narrow topic—the wine industry in Algeria during its time as a French colony. The intro holds the promise that this narrow topic will shed great light on France’s colonization of Algeria, and it does to a certain extent, But I was disappointed with the rather dry tone of the book, as well as what I thought was a lack of detail as to the lives lived by both the vineyard owners and the Algerians and others who worked for them..
if you are interested as I am in modern Algerian history, the book will still offer good insight into France’s occupation of the country