The Royal exchange mentions France as one of the many countries that provide England a certain trade good, as told by Sir Andrew in Joseph Addison's "The Royal Exchange". Sir Andrew calls the "vineyards of France our gardens" (Addison), meaning that France provides a plentiful trade of wine for England.

The country of France has a long history of wine making, spanning 2600 years from 6th century BC with the Phocaens - Greek colonists from Phocaea. Much of this industry was influenced by english markets and dutch traders, and prior to the French Revolution, the Catholic Church was one of France's largest vineyard owners.