The Ancients The Origins of Wine
Mar 10, 2024
Delve into the ancient roots of winemaking with Dr. Emlyn Dodd, exploring the evolution of wine production from grapevine domestication to Neolithic viticulture. Discover the challenges faced by ancient winemakers, the spread of wine culture in Mesopotamia and beyond, and the fusion of local and external influences in early wine production.
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Ancient Origins of Wine Revealed
- Wine origins trace back at least 8,000 years, earlier than expected.
- Ancient DNA studies push grapevine domestication over 3,000 years back, showing long evolution.
Wild Grapevines Are Endangered
- Wild grapevines originally grew widely around the Mediterranean and Near East.
- Modern cultivation is causing wild grapevine decline, endangering the origin of wine.
Paleolithic Wine A Plausible Theory
- Early humans likely ate wild grapes and may have consumed naturally fermented juice.
- There is no direct evidence of Paleolithic wine but the theory is plausible based on fermentation.