The origins of wine

The origins of wine

These are some significant events and dates in the history of wine. In ancient times, the grape was macerated and, due to the weather conditions, a sweet must was obtained. In order to preserve wine, spices were added; which provided it exotic tastes. Wine was admired because of its therapeutic qualities. It remains unknown where exactly the first vineyards were. Nevertheless, there is evidence that proves that wine was produced in Turkey about 9,500 years ago.

Wine was a favorite trading items

When men became sedentary, vine was one of the first plants to be cultivated along with olive and fig trees. In those times, wine was one of the favorite trading items.

Researchers in general agree that vine and wine are originally from Central Asia.

A thousand years before Christ, the Greeks adored the god of wine: Dionysus, son of Zeus. In Rome, it took the name of Bacchus, son of Jupiter, who was the highest god.

Viticulture expansion outwards the Mediterranean Basin took place when Romans conquered and occupied the entire European continent.

In the XVI Century, Spanish and Portuguese conquerors introduced the Vitis Vinifera into the New World. There is not much information about how vine and vineyards proliferated in America; however, they are supposed to proceed from raisins.

Throughout the XV and the XVII, Great Britain had not only developed an outstanding economic and military power, but also became a wine trading colossus.

Vine culture

Vine culture spread through Europe since the use of wine in the celebration of Mass, and the same happened in America when the Jesuits arrived.

Along with a noble variety of European stock, a huge diversity of local vines arose and constituted today's American vineyard. They were called "Criolla Chica" in Argentine and Peru, "País" in Chile, and "Mission" in the United States.

Devastating vine pest

The most devastating pest that ever fell on vine appeared for the first time in 1860. Phylloxera is a parasite that came from the United State. It broke out and soon affected the entire European continent. The solution was found many years later and it consisted in grafting European vines onto American vine rootstocks, which were resistant to the pest. At the present, Phylloxera is under control; nevertheless, it remains a menace.