WTN - Cheap Algerian Red Wine

2004 Chateau Romain - Coteaux du Zaccar - AOG - 12.5% ABV - $10.99 in West Virginia, probably a dollar or more less anyplace else.

From the back label:

The Chateau Roman is outstanding by his fineness, and his vigor full of delicacy and distinction, like that, the quality of his products is kept all the time; the ancient fame of this chateau is always sought after by fine judgs of wine.

I don't recall ever having had cheap Algerian red wine before, and given its awful reputation, had no idea what to expect. There was no indication of grape variety on the label,and when I opened it my immediate reaction to the aroma was "South of France." Ripe fruit with absolutely no off aromas of any kind. The color on pouring was lighter than the aroma suggested it should be, medium to dark brick red with no browning at the edge, no purple at all. I thought the flavors were also South of France, and guessed something like Southern Rhone or Languedoc for grape variety. Easy on the palate with well integrated tannins, no suggestion that the grapes were under-ripe, in fact just the opposite, and didn't seem to me to be watered down or over-cropped, despite the light color. Medium long finish, and exceptionally easy to drink, perhaps because of the lower alcohol level.

A Google search suggests the wine was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

I don't know that I would seek it out, or purchase a case, but I certainly would buy and drink it again. I thought it a good value for the money.

I remember when it used to be Burgundy

Interesting that the supply chains are setup to import this. I guess with prices and currencies headed the way they are, importers and everyone else will be looking for new options for cheap wines.

What is an 'AOG'? I'm assuming it's their appellation system, but how long has it been established? How developed is it?

AOG is Apellation d'Origine Garantita or something very much like that. I can't really tell you much more about it. The wine was at least respectable, so AOG may actually mean something.

Peter,
You must be of my generation!
When I was just starting my wine hobby in the mid 1960's, Algeria was the fifth or sixth largest wine producer in the world, and little was really drunk in that Muslim country. Most of it found it's way across the Med. Do you remember the ubiquitous Marquisat wines that sometimes tasted liked New York State wines? And the absolute flood of strange tasting Cote du Rhone?
And your right, the best of the stuff made its way all the up to Burgundy! Viva la France!

Peter is right. We used to drink a lot of Algerian wine without realizing it.

However, it is even less well known that Algeria, as a French "départment", was developing its own appellations up to independence. I have a 1970 edition of Larousse des Vins which talks nostalgically about the qualities of the VDQS wines Bouira, Médea, Mascara, Mostagenem amongst others. The reds naturally did best (mainly with similar varieties to Languedoc) but there were apparently also some successful whites.

There is clearly some potential here but I am sceptical about whether much of it can be realized where the predominant religion of the country forbids consumption.