Certainly they would have planted more grapes, produced more wine, lowered the price of wine. They would have needed more casks, more boats, more settlers. America might be France today. The King was encouraging settlements, to hold America for France. He was taking every care of the settlers. Still, there are two facts: They planted no more grapes. The settlements grew very slowly.
In the context of America's history, the text suggests that had more resources and effort been dedicated to viticulture, the landscape and economy could have diverged significantly. The expansion of grape cultivation and wine production could have transformed America into a nation parallel to France, with a booming wine industry facilitated by increased settlements and infrastructure. The French King was actively promoting colonization to strengthen France’s grip on North America, providing support to settlers.
Despite these intentions, progress was sluggish. The lack of increased grape planting and the slow pace of settlement development imply that the potential for a thriving wine industry remained unrealized. This presents a striking contrast between ambition and reality, highlighting how even with governmental support, the desired growth and expansion did not materialize as expected. Ultimately, the dream of a wine-rich America remained just that—an unfulfilled dream.
