Italian grape and wine domestication took 7,000 years. Seeds show a shift from wild to cultivated types. Sardinia played a key role early.
The article from Earth.com discusses a significant archaeological discovery in Italy, where researchers found evidence that grapes were being used to produce wine around 7,000 years ago. This finding, based on the analysis of ancient grape pollen and remains found in the Early Neolithic village of Lagnano da Piede, suggests that wine production in Italy predates previous estimates by about 1,000 years. The study, published in the journal Microchemical Journal, utilized advanced techniques like palynology and infrared spectroscopy to identify the grape remains, indicating that the early inhabitants of this region were not only cultivating grapes but also fermenting them into wine. This discovery pushes back the timeline of wine production in Italy and provides new insights into the agricultural and cultural practices of Neolithic societies.
Food & Wine
Fri, April 25, 2025
