How did a microscopic aphid from North America nearly destroy the global wine industry, and what scientific measures were required to halt its devastation? Christy Campbell, a seasoned journalist, investigates the late 19th-century phylloxera epidemic that decimated European vineyards. By synthesizing historical records and scientific inquiry, the author details the frantic search for a solution, ultimately revealing how the crisis forced the wine industry to adopt modern agricultural science to survive.

This work provides a detailed and accessible examination of a critical turning point in agricultural history. The narrative effectively balances the scientific challenges of the era with the social and economic stakes faced by European winemakers.