“Business card on the most beautiful tables in the world”: the cooperative cellar of Muscat de Frontignan celebrated its 120th anniversary

Les élus du territoire ont unanimement rendu hommage à l’Histoire de la cave coopérative. V. G.

En présence d’élus et acteurs du secteur muscatier, la cave coopérative a fêté ses 120 ans, samedi soir.

Local pride and "Frontignan's calling card on the world's finest tables", Frontignan Muscat celebrated the 120th anniversary of the cooperative winery on Saturday evening, in the presence of local elected officials and personalities from the Muscat world. On the stage, Mayor Michel Arrouy had a word for "the courage of our winegrowers" who have left their mark on this place steeped in history.

“It is the fruit of a collective will of the winegrowers. This Frontignan Muscat cooperative winery marks the birth of a solid cooperation of the winegrowers to face the stranglehold of large merchants […]. Over these 120 years, the winery has made its way, it has gone through more or less happy periods. But the spirit of brotherhood of the wine world has always endured. It is not just a production entity. It is a philosophy of life and work. The winegrowers share the risks and the profits in a spirit of solidarity and mutual aid […]. They share the unwavering desire to produce the best muscat in the world, an ambassador for our city to the four corners of the world."

"Voltaire would say that this muscat “preserves life”"

Vice-president of the Hérault departmental council, Sylvie Pradelle spoke of the prestige that surroundsand “this delicious nectar”. “Muscat de Frontignan is a wine that travels in a twisted bottle that inspires a great many people. Muscat de Frontignan, a luxury wine, once served in the highest courts of Europe, can pride itself on its rich history. The writer Colette would evoke “a sunburn” when speaking of Muscat de Frontignan. Voltaire, for his part, would say that this Muscat “preserves life”. A future president of the United States in the 18th century, after tasting muscat, will have cases of Frontignan muscat delivered to him upon his return to the USA."

A story also praised by Michel Garcia, vice-president of Sète agglopôle Méditerranée delegated to agricultural and wine-growing activities. He, in turn, highlighted the Frontignan cellar and “these humans who built together”. “In the Sète Agglo area, we are proud of the Muscat de Frontignan.”

“This winery has united generations of visionary, avant-garde men and women”

By recalling the Occitanie Region's systems to support the wine industry, “sustainable agriculture, land action, access to water”, regional councilor René Moreno recognized the place occupied today by the Coopérative Frontignan Muscat. “The very example of men and women passing through, who have kept the cooperative spirit alive.”

Like his predecessors, Senator Hussein Bourgi paid tribute to the “human adventure” of this cooperative winery. “It has united several generations of men and women, visionaries, avant-garde. This building tells a story of mutualization, mutual aid and solidarity."

"A unique grape variety capable of adapting to climate change and consumer expectations", the “Frontignan” "makes the city shine throughout the country", added MP Sylvain Carrière with pride.