14 DAY TRIAL // Those who have a sweet tooth for French wine have the Italians to thank for teaching the people of France how to be expert wine makers, new evidence suggests.
Specialists writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explain how their research into the origins of French wine making has led them to the conclusion that it was the Italians who helped jump-start this industry in France.
The archaeological evidence in support of this theory is represented by two pots dug out on the site of what used to be the French port of Lattara.
These pots, whom researchers also refer to as amphoras, allegedly prove that the French took up the habit of making wine after Etruscan merchants from Italy paid them a visit and introduced them to this beverage.
These Etruscan merchants are said to have brought the first batches of wine to present-day France somewhere around 525 BC.
It was several decades later, i.e. around 425 BC, when bases for the French wine industry were set up.
“Now we know the ancient Etruscans lured the Gauls into the Mediterranean wine culture by importing wine into southern France.”
“This built up a demand that could only be met by establishing a native industry - likely done by transplanting the domesticated vine from Italy - and enlisting the requisite wine-making expertise from the Etruscans,” Dr. Patrick McGovern said, as cited by Penn Museum.
Besides unearthing these two amphoras, the researchers came across an ancient wine pressing platform. The platform was also found on the site of the ancient port of Lattara.
Grape seeds, stems and grape skins were reportedly found in the proximity of this wine pressing platform, indicating that locals were using it to make their own wine.
This idea is supported by the fact that the limestone the press was made from had traces of tartaric acid on in.
“First entice the rulers who could afford to import and ostentatiously consume wine. Next, foreign specialists are commissioned to transplant vines and establish local industries.”
“Over time, wine spreads to the larger population, and is integrated into social and religious life,” Dr. Patrick McGovern summed up the beginnings of the wine industry in France.