Grape vines existence get back to prehistoric times. Fossilized plant were discovered near Reims the centre town of the Champagne region. This dates back to the Paleocene (some 65 millions years ago.) One big question hangs in the air, how much wine has been drunk in 65 million years?
Due to climatic condition grapes have found places to grow along the Mediterranean region, and as far as Germany and southern Sweden.
The wild varietal known under the name of lam-brusque is the source of the numerous varieties obtained by cultivation. The cultivation of wine spreads about 8000 years ago in the Transcaucasia mountains, then to Mesopotamia, and domesticated by Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Hebrews.
and a priest offering wine to the gods.
Wine took a centre stage position with the spread of religious practices. As a beverage of choice tied to immortality offered to the gods, as accounted in ancient Mesopotamia text. The beverage of gods and kings follow the dead in their tomb in the Egyptians’ Pyramids.
Greeks are supposed to have planted the first vines in southern Gaul, which rapidly spreads. The vines gather around monasteries. While wine is not easily drank, often honey, spices and herbs are added to the beverage. During the 100 years war, wine from the Bordeaux region is shipped to London.
Today wine grows everywhere, Argentina, China and even in Israel.
