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Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean about 2000 kilometers off the south-east coast of Africa. Known for its sugarcane crops, the country has a long history of rum production. The high heat and humidity make for an inclement environment for winemaking, so few have tried to grow Vitis vinifera grape varieties on the island.
The Arabs and Portuguese visited Mauritius during the Middle Ages, but it remained uninhabited until the Dutch Republic came and colonized it in 1638. The Dutch abandoned it in 1710, but then five years later the French came and re-colonized it, naming it Isle de France. The island became known for its convenient positioning on the trade route between Europe and Asia, and was fought over for the next several years by the French and the British. By 1810, the British finally won the island over, but allowed settlers to keep their land and speak French. However, the island's name was changed to Mauritius. It became an independent state in 1968, then a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1992.
Mauritius was created by volcanic activity over 8 million years ago. It is 65km long and 45km wide. The environment is tropical, and cyclones are a regular occurrence. The summers are hot and humid, while winters are still hot, but dryer. A vast amount of different plants and creatures thrive; Mauritius is the only known home of the now extinct dodo bird.
In the 90's, sugar cane farmers accidentally planted vinifera grapes instead of table grapes. Due to the heat, humidity, and regular tropical storms, the experiment quickly came to an end. Farmers on the island make wine from tropical fruits including pineapple and lychee, but the main beverage produced on the island is rum. Gold of Mauritius, Pink Pigeon, and Chamarel Premium are among the popular brands.
