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Food and Wine
Source : (remove) : The Independent
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Food and Wine
Source : (remove) : The Independent
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Want a glass of wine with dinner? Blame our ape ancestors

Why Your Evening Glass of Wine Might Owe Its Existence to the Demise of Dinosaurs

Imagine pouring yourself a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon after a long day, savoring its rich, fruity notes as it pairs perfectly with your dinner. It's a simple pleasure, one that countless people around the world enjoy nightly. But have you ever stopped to consider the ancient origins of that wine? According to a fascinating new study published in the journal Nature Plants, the story of wine—and the grapes that make it possible—stretches back millions of years to a cataclysmic event: the extinction of the dinosaurs. Yes, you read that right. The reason we can indulge in that glass of vino might be because a massive asteroid wiped out the mighty reptiles that once roamed the Earth, paving the way for grapevines to flourish.

Let's dive into the science behind this intriguing claim. The research, led by an international team of paleobotanists and evolutionary biologists, uncovers fossil evidence that grape family plants, known scientifically as Vitaceae, began to proliferate shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event about 66 million years ago. This was the infamous asteroid impact that ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs and triggered massive ecological shifts. Before this event, forests were dense and dominated by towering trees, with dinosaurs like the massive sauropods and agile theropods stomping through them. These giants would have trampled undergrowth, preventing vine-like plants from climbing and spreading effectively.

Without the dinosaurs to disrupt forest ecosystems, the post-extinction world became a veritable playground for vines. The study identifies nine new fossil grape seeds from sites in Colombia, Panama, and Peru, dating between 60 and 19 million years old. These fossils represent some of the oldest evidence of grapes in the Western Hemisphere, suggesting that the grape family originated in South America and then dispersed northward and eventually to other continents. One particularly exciting find is a seed named Lithouva susmanii, which is related to modern domesticated grapes used in winemaking. The name "Lithouva" even nods to the Greek word for "stone grape," highlighting its petrified nature.

The researchers argue that the absence of large herbivores post-dinosaur era allowed forests to become more open and layered. This structural change favored climbing plants like vines, which could now twine around trees and access sunlight without being constantly knocked down. "The extinction of the dinosaurs created opportunities for new plant growth forms," explains Fabiany Herrera, a paleobotanist at the Field Museum in Chicago and lead author of the study. "Vines, in particular, benefited from this, as they could exploit the vertical space in regenerating forests." This evolutionary advantage set the stage for the diversification of grape species, which would later become integral to human culture.

To understand the full implications, it's worth exploring the broader evolutionary history of grapes. The Vitaceae family includes over 800 species today, ranging from wild grapes in temperate forests to the cultivated varieties that produce everything from table grapes to fine wines. Fossil records show that grapes first appeared in the fossil record around 80 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous, but they were sparse and not widespread. The asteroid impact, which formed the Chicxulub crater in Mexico and caused global wildfires, acid rain, and a "nuclear winter," decimated about 75% of Earth's species. In the aftermath, mammals, birds, and certain plants began to thrive in the vacated niches.

In South America, where much of this fossil evidence was unearthed, the tropical rainforests provided an ideal cradle for grape evolution. The study describes how these early grapes developed traits like tendrils for climbing and fleshy fruits to attract seed-dispersing animals—features that would prove crucial for their survival and spread. By the Eocene epoch, around 50 million years ago, grapes had begun migrating to North America via land bridges, and later to Europe and Asia through similar geological connections. This dispersal mirrors the journeys of other plant families, but grapes had a unique edge: their adaptability to various climates and soils.

Fast-forward to human history, and the connection to wine becomes clear. Archaeological evidence suggests that winemaking began around 8,000 years ago in the Caucasus region, with early civilizations in Georgia, Armenia, and Iran fermenting wild grapes. The process spread to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where wine became a staple of social, religious, and economic life. The Romans, in particular, refined viticulture, planting vineyards across their empire and developing techniques like pruning and barrel aging that we still use today. But without the foundational evolution spurred by the dinosaur extinction, those early grapes might never have existed in forms suitable for domestication.

Consider the biodiversity angle. Modern wine grapes, such as Vitis vinifera, trace their lineage back to these ancient South American ancestors. The study highlights how understanding this deep history can inform current conservation efforts. Climate change and habitat loss threaten wild grape relatives, which hold genetic diversity that could help breed resilient varieties against pests like phylloxera or diseases like powdery mildew. "By looking at the past, we can better prepare for the future of viticulture," notes co-author Mónica Carvalho from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. "These fossils remind us that grapes have survived mass extinctions before, but human impacts are a new challenge."

The research also draws parallels to other post-extinction booms. For instance, the rise of flowering plants (angiosperms) accelerated after the dinosaurs' demise, leading to the colorful, fruit-bearing world we know today. Grapes fit into this narrative as part of the "vine revolution," where climbing plants diversified rapidly. In fact, similar patterns are seen in other vine families like those producing kiwis or passionfruits, all benefiting from the same ecological vacuum.

Skeptics might wonder: is this just a clever way to link dinosaurs to something fun like wine? The scientists emphasize that their conclusions are grounded in rigorous analysis. They used advanced imaging techniques, including CT scans, to examine the internal structures of the fossil seeds, comparing them to modern grapes. This revealed shared characteristics like seed shape and vascular patterns, confirming evolutionary links. Moreover, molecular clock studies— which estimate divergence times based on DNA differences—align with the fossil timeline, supporting the idea that grape diversification exploded after 66 million years ago.

This discovery adds a layer of wonder to everyday indulgences. Next time you swirl that glass of Pinot Noir, think about the cosmic accident that made it possible. An asteroid hurtling through space, crashing into Earth, and reshaping life in ways that echo through time to your dinner table. It's a reminder of how interconnected our world is, from prehistoric catastrophes to modern pleasures. Wine isn't just a product of human ingenuity; it's a legacy of survival and adaptation in a post-dinosaur world.

The study opens doors for further research. Future expeditions in under-explored regions of South America could yield more fossils, potentially revealing even older grape ancestors or clarifying migration routes. There's also potential for interdisciplinary work, blending paleontology with enology (the science of winemaking) to explore how ancient grape traits influence today's flavors. For example, did the fleshy fruits of early grapes evolve to attract specific animals, and how does that affect the tannins and aromas we prize in wine?

In cultural terms, this narrative enriches the lore of wine. Sommeliers and enthusiasts often wax poetic about terroir—the unique soil, climate, and geography that shape a wine's character. Now, we can add a prehistoric dimension: the "terroir of extinction." It's a story that spans epochs, from the thunderous footsteps of dinosaurs to the quiet clink of glasses at a family meal. So, if you're reaching for that bottle tonight, raise a toast to the dinosaurs—or rather, to their absence. Without their exit stage left, the stage might never have been set for the grape's grand performance.

This revelation underscores the serendipity of evolution. Life finds a way, as the saying goes, and in this case, it found a way to give us wine. From the ashes of a global disaster rose vines that would one day intoxicate and inspire humanity. It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as 66 million years, proving that sometimes, the best things come from the most unexpected upheavals. (Word count: 1,128)

Read the Full The Independent Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/want-glass-wine-dinner-blame-121602891.html ]