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France is renowned the world over as a leader in the crafts of viticulture and winemaking. But the beginnings of French viniculture have been largely unknown, until now.
“France’s rise to world prominence in the wine culture has been well documented, especially since the 12th century, when the Cistercian monks determined by trial-and-error that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were the best cultivars to grow in Burgundy,” explained Dr Patrick McGovern of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, lead author of a paper published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“What we haven’t had is clear chemical evidence, combined with botanical and archaeological data, showing how wine was introduced into France and initiated a native industry.”
Archaeologists found a number of Etruscan amphorae at Lattara’s merchant quarters dating to circa 525 – 475 BC. Dr McGovern’s team selected three of them for analysis because they were whole, unwashed, found in an undisturbed, sealed context. The amphorae also showed signs of residue on their interior bases where precipitates of liquids, such as wine, collect. “Judging by their shape and other features, they could be assigned to a specific Etruscan amphora type, likely manufactured at the city of Cisra in central Italy during the same time period.”
Read more here.
“France’s rise to world prominence in the wine culture has been well documented, especially since the 12th century, when the Cistercian monks determined by trial-and-error that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were the best cultivars to grow in Burgundy,” explained Dr Patrick McGovern of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, lead author of a paper published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“What we haven’t had is clear chemical evidence, combined with botanical and archaeological data, showing how wine was introduced into France and initiated a native industry.”
Archaeologists found a number of Etruscan amphorae at Lattara’s merchant quarters dating to circa 525 – 475 BC. Dr McGovern’s team selected three of them for analysis because they were whole, unwashed, found in an undisturbed, sealed context. The amphorae also showed signs of residue on their interior bases where precipitates of liquids, such as wine, collect. “Judging by their shape and other features, they could be assigned to a specific Etruscan amphora type, likely manufactured at the city of Cisra in central Italy during the same time period.”
Read more here.
