| Wine making is an ancient art -- probably more | | | | over the millenniums. The wine on the shelves of |
| ancient than most people realize. In Godin Tepe, | | | | your local supermarket or liquor store is certainly |
| Iran, for example, ancient pottery has been | | | | made much differently (and probably under much |
| discovered that dates back to before the Bronze | | | | more sanitary conditions) than the wine that was |
| Age (c. 3500-2900 BC), and chemical testing has | | | | being made 5,000 years ago. But, it is still wine, |
| proven that the pottery contained wine. | | | | and the basis of the wine has not ever changed. |
| This is even more interesting when you know | | | | Grapes! |
| that grapes were not grown in the region where | | | | Wine can be made from fruits other than grapes, |
| the pottery was discovered, so it is very likely | | | | but the process is the same, and the best wines |
| that the wine was a trading commodity. Godin | | | | are still made from the best grapes in the world |
| was located on the Silk Road from China to the | | | | -- and that debate rages on! Which grapes are the |
| Mediterranean and the Mediterranean is the most | | | | best grapes, and which regions can grow the best |
| likely source of the wine. | | | | grapes? The differences in opinion on these |
| It is a well-known and well-established fact that | | | | questions is what keeps the industry thriving. |
| grapes were grown in Egypt around 3000 BC. | | | | Poems have been written and songs have been |
| Other pottery finds have been pretty well | | | | sung about the wonderful world of wine. Wine is |
| established through chemical analysis that wine | | | | the most romantic of all drinks, and probably |
| was a trading commodity that long ago. | | | | always will be because of its long and storied |
| Of course, wine and wine making has evolved | | | | history. |