Atlas e la France Vinicole

6 vols., many chromolithograph maps, several folding, text in French, English, German and Italian (and in some cases Spanish and Portuguese), original publisher’s portfolio, bright, folio, Paris: Louis Larmat, 1941-74.

A Rare Complete set.

L’Atlas de la France Vinicole covers the main wine producing regions of France in 6 volumes.

Vol.1 : Les vins de Bordeaux 1941

Vol.2 : Les vins de Bourgogne 1942

Vol.3 : Les vins des côtes du Rhône 1943

Vol.4 : Les vins de Champagne 1944

Vol.5 : Les vins des coteaux de la Loire. 1ère Partie : Touraine et Centre 1946

Vol.6 : Les eaux-de-vie de France. Le cognac 1947

The arrangement of each volume is broadly similar. Somewhat flowery introductory remarks by

representatives of national bodies led by the President of ‘CNOA’ (Comité National des

Appellations d’Origine), are followed by a general map and introduction to the region by the leader

of the local syndicate. Detailed maps of areas of specialised production are accompanied by

descriptive statements and details of the legislation brought right up to date, which defined each

‘AOC’ (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée).

After the success of this first volume covering the wines of Bordeaux, Larmat went on to issue, separately, volumes on Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone, Champagne, the Loire, and Cognac. The full scope of the Atlas was never realised. In 1947, at the conclusion of the Cognac volume,Larmat announced that he was preparing a second part of volume 5 (wines of the Loire) covering Anjou and Muscadet. Volume 6 would have been expanded with sections on Armagnac and Calvados, volume 7 would have been on the wines of Alsace and an eighth volume would have covered sweet fortified wines : vins doux naturels et vins de liqueurs.