In the years 1313-1850, Europe knew the so-called Little Ice Age (or PEG: Piccola Era Glaciale), at the end of which three nightmares hit the viticulture of the Old Word: oidium, phylloxera and mildew . The Philloxera Vastatrix, in particular, arrive in France in 1850, attached to some American vines that had to be planted in the French vineyards for improvement. In fact, within a few years the deadly insect had come to destroy 40% of the French vineyard.

This tiny and letal aphid  found its nemesis in an unlikely hero: American vine rootstocks.