La crisis filoxerica en España (estudio comparativo sobre las consecuencias socio-economicas de la filoxera en algunas regiones vitivinicolas españolas)

Abstract

Phylloxera, a microscopic insect which destroyed European vineyards at the end of last century, invaded Spain in 1878. The first outcrop of this pest was discovered in the Andalusian province of Málaga and soon spread to all Spanish wine regions, causing the distruction of practically all the vineyards in the Península and ruining hundred thousands of wine growers. There are, however, appreciable differences in the socio-economic effect of this pest on the various regions. These differences are also reflected in the steps taken at the time, both in fighting against phylloxera as well as in the measures taken to overcome the disaster. This article evaluates and analyzes these differences in the regions of Rioja, Catalonia and parts of Andalusia.