1855     Malbec was the main grape variety (about 50%)  in the blend of the Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé alongside Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

1876      Phylloxera discovered, initiating the decline of vineyards.

1878      Mildew arrives and causes further deterioration of the vineyards. 

1885      Black Rot appears as yet another natural disaster in the vineyards; the first American rootstock introduced fails to survive in the limestone soils; Cahors loses over 47,000ha of vineyards, yet continues to rapidly replant and in a desperate attempt to preserve the economy, begins blending in non-grape wines to maintain production volumes in lieu of focusing on quality.

1886      Cahors has 58,800ha planted; by 1880 reaches it golden age with 80,000ha planted; continues to plant even as new vineyards die several years after being planted.

1887      Germain Vigouroux, fourth son of Jean Vigouroux, farmer and winemaker, established a wine distribution business, focusing on selling wines to local restaurants.

1920’s    Hybrid varieties (Seyve-Villard grapes) are introduced, saving local viticulture; however, leads to a shift in mass production of wines and the continued downturn in quality

1956      A major frost wipes out most vineyards.

1958      Vineyards are replanted with new Phyloxerra resistant rootstocks (“Riparia x Berlandieri 420-A” and “SO4”), focusing on Malbec, Merlot and Tannat.

1971     The Cahors AOC is created, designating it a ‘red wine only’ region, requiring all wines to be at least 70% Malbec; at this time only 440ha of vines remain, including 60ha replanted by Georges Vigouroux.

1980’s    Cahors begins to rebuild its wine production, utilizing mass production philosophies for bulk wine.

today     Cahors is considered to be a region with young vineyards and an old story, encompassing    21,700ha with only a modest 4,300ha planted, a mere 5% of its height of plantings in 1880.