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Introduction to Viticulture

Written By: Michael Keba on Monday, December 10, 2007

Wine 101 - Teenage Boys Discovered Wine?

So far in my writings, I've been talking an awful lot about my lack of knowledge and experience concerning wine. I still might be a newbie, but I like to think that I know a thing or two. I've been enrolled in a class this quarter called "Introduction to Viticulture" that I have yet to speak of. In light of my finals coming up, I figured this would help me review. Please enjoy a few basic lessons about the wonders of the grapevine.

Viticulture, the science of growing grapevines, has long been intertwined with the history of man. Chemical evidence found in ancient pottery suggests that wine has been around since at least 5000 B.C, and probably even longer. In my own personal theory (supported by my peers), wine was accidentally discovered by some teenage boys. While horsing around in a cave one day, a boy came across a clay pot filled with a strange liquid. The boy was fairly intelligent, and deduced from the liquid's deep red color that it must be the juice of the wild grape berry that grew around his home. However, this liquid had an interesting smell to it. Curious to find out more, he decided to follow the tradition of young males before him. He dared his friend to drink it. The friend quickly became aware of the powerful effects of alcohol, and the original boy had to explain to his friend's parents what had happened and the reason for their son's abnormal behavior. Once the parents cooled down from their ferocity, they decided that they too wanted to know more.

The actual events might have occurred slightly different, but history clearly shows that people quickly became fascinated with mysterious effects of wine. It was unexplainable how normal grape juice could acquire such extraordinary powers just by sitting untouched. Because of this, wine has always been stamped with an aurora of mysticism. After the discovery of wine, the cultivation of grapevines quickly became an important part of civilization. Many sacred traditions were developed for the creation of wine. Mosaics have been found in Egyptian ruins depicting advanced viticulture practices, and the bible mentions references wine and grapes dozens of times. Grapes were ancient cultural phenomena.

Throughout its history, wine was usually a homemade, or at least locally made commodity. Today, wine is shipped all over the world, and patrons of wine stores are often very isolated from its production. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah are all cultivars (different varieties) of the species Vitis vinifera. This species of grape has proved to be one of the most carefully bred plants in the history of agriculture.

So maybe I did learn a thing or two in my "Introduction to Viticulture" class. Stay tuned for next lesson on the travels and troubles of the wine grape!

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