Wine arrived in Madagascar in the 19th century with Jean Laborde, who, under the orders of Queen Ranavalona I, was responsible for maintaining Madagascar’s artillery and developing its industry. Since then, wine has become a common and beloved drink. Red, white and rosé wines are drunk by all social classes and are the third most popular alcoholic drinks after rum and beer. Produced in the centre of the island, the industry involves local farmers, wine producers and the island’s distribution channels. In this article, we take a look at the leading brands producing wine in Madagascar.

Lazan’i Betsileo, created by Swiss cooperation

Madagascar’s historic wine, Lazan’i Betsileo, is the name that comes to everyone’s lips when asked to name a single bottle of Madagascan wine.

The brand was created in 1971 by Swiss cooperation with a view to developing the first vineyards planted by the first foreigners on the island. The company’s principle is simple: the vines are cultivated by local farmers who sell them to Lazan’i Betsileo for wine production.

Today, the ‘Lazan’i Betsileo’ label applies to all the estate’s wines, including red wine, white wine, rosé aperitif wine, sparkling wine, sweet wine and even ‘Lazan’i Betsileo’ champagne in their shop in Finarantsoa. The wines have an alcohol content of around 12° and the estate is open to visitors at SOAVITA Ambalavao, where their wine cellar is located.

Clos Malaza

Another wine from the Fianarantsoa region, Clos Malaza is a wine brand that is a regular feature at local wine events. The brand has a private estate, where visitors can tour the cellar and vineyard and enjoy tastings of its wines and aperitifs. The brand offers a wide range of wines: Clos Malaza red wine, Clos Malaza rosé wine, Clos Malaza sweet white wine, Clos Malaza dry white wine, Clos Malaza grey wine, Clos Malaza pineapple wine, Clos Malaza lychee brandy, Clos Malaza orange liqueur, and Clos Malaza mandarin liqueur.

The brand has diversified into bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday hiking and canoeing facilities. Their plantation covers 30 hectares and produces 80 tonnes of grapes annually, making it a major player in the region. The brand is recognised as a recommended established wine producer and a flagship of the region.

Clos Nomena

A different wine estate with a name similar to the one mentioned above, Clos Nomena is a young business owned by a French couple. The brand name Nomena is their daughter’s middle name. The brand was established in 2001 and produces harmonious, high-end wines that seek to compete with European, Chilean and South African wines. The brand has 11 hectares of vines and works with noble French grape varieties selected by an oenologist and nurseryman from the south of France. The brand has four bottles: Clos Nomena dry white, Clos Nomena rosé, Clos Nomena red, and Clos Nomena sweet.

Due to the small number of bottles produced, Clos Nomena wines are only available in high-end restaurants and the wine cellars of connoisseurs.

CFF, Chan Foui Fils

With the strongest and most intense presence on social media, Chan Foui Fils, or CFF, is another wine brand from the Fianarantsoa region. It is the wine brand with the widest range of wines. It has five product ranges: Maroparassy red and white wines, Côte de Fianar red, white and rosé wines, Vin Champetre red table wine for mass, Coteaux d’Ambalavoa a special cuvée and a white wine, Aperao orange-flavoured aperitif wines, Ambalavo spices, pineapple and peach. The brand is positioned as a brand intended for local mass consumption.

The brand is owned by a family of Chinese mixed race who have lived in Madagascar for several generations. The brand has a point of sale in Antananarivo, the capital, making it a robust brand.

Its Maroparasy wine is a bottle appreciated by regular customers of the brand.

Mahitasoa Estate

Located in the Fianarantsoa region, in Soaindrana, the Mahitasoa Estate is a renowned wine estate. The estate is open to visitors and, in addition to tours of the vineyards and tastings of their products, offers summer activities such as pétanque, mini golf and outdoor picnics.

What distinguishes this brand from the previous ones is its strong distribution in local outlets. Bottles from the estate can be found in every supermarket and wine cellar in Antananarivo. The estate’s product range includes the famous RN7 white wine, red wine and rosé wine. This is a legendary range of bottles that is almost as well known as the historic Lazan’i Betsileo brand.

The brand has several bottles in its product range: Matsiatra red wine, white wine and fruit nectar, Pilboka aperitif wine, the legendary RN7 range of red, white and rosé wines with screw caps, and Soa sweet white wine, whose name certainly refers to the French organic white wine ‘so’vive’ sold by Gerard Bertrand.

Tongasoa

Sweet wines that can be enjoyed with meat, cheese or a sweet dessert. The Tongasoa range of wines are very aromatic table wines. The wines are distinguished by their original labels and screw caps. It is an easy-to-drink, fairly sweet range of wines.

The wines are produced by the Royal Spirit brand. The wines are 100% authentic Madagascan products. There are three types of wine: Tongasoa sweet white, Tongasoa sweet red and Tongasoa dry white.

Another unique feature of the brand is that it has a dedicated shop in Antananarivo. Tongasoa wine is also available in supermarkets and alcohol retailers.

Valmont

The latest addition to Madagascar’s wine industry, Valmont wine is the newest wine on the market in Madagascar. It is produced by STAR, a French brand (a subsidiary of the CASTEL group based in Madagascar). Valmont wine is uncorked in the same way as other STAR products. It is an entry-level wine that is very easy on the palate. There is only one type of wine: a red grape variety of Spanish origin.

The wine can be enjoyed fairly quickly and is intended for consumption on terraces and in bars.

Bulk wine and artisanal wine

There are many artisanal wine producers in the country, particularly in the Fianarantsoa region. Wine is widely consumed throughout rural Madagascar. Red wine is particularly popular, and is the only type of wine found in rural areas. It is sold in bulk, starting at a quarter of a litre.

A very popular alcoholic beverage, wine in Madagascar is not only drunk from crystal or glass but also from plastic. The drink of Dionysus no longer concerns Venus, Pluto, Mars and Saturn, all the planets of the Madagascan world.