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1-1 Grape History

Grapes are a fruit with a long history and have existed in many parts of the world long before humans began farming. According to scientists, wild grapes first appeared in Eurasia and North America, and can be traced back tens of millions of years. These wild grapes were selected by nature over time and eventually became the cultivated varieties we know today. Archaeologists have found grape seeds in the Middle East that are approximately 7,000 years old, suggesting that humans began to eat grapes at an early age and attempted to plant them in specific areas. Over time, people realized that grapes could not only be eaten directly, but also used to make wine, and began to systematically cultivate sweeter varieties that were better suited to winemaking.

Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt were among the first civilizations to begin growing grapes. In the Mesopotamian epic poem Gilgamesh, there are descriptions of vineyards, showing that grapes were already being cultivated. The Ancient Egyptians further developed viticulture and winemaking techniques, and their wall paintings show how grapes were picked, the juice pressed, and stored in clay jars for fermentation. The Greeks had a passion for wine, which they considered not only a beverage, but also a cultural symbol closely related to their religious, literary and social life. They refined their winemaking techniques and spread this knowledge to the Mediterranean region. During the Roman Empire, the wine industry reached new heights, as the Romans expanded their grape-growing techniques to France, Spain, and Germany, and established a well-developed winemaking and trading system.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the monasteries of Europe became important places for the preservation and development of viticultural techniques. The monks researched different grape varieties and adapted their planting methods to the climatic conditions of the different regions. Their efforts allowed viticulture to continue throughout the Middle Ages and laid the foundation for the wine industry. With the advent of the Age of Sail in the 15th century, European explorers brought grapes to the Americas, South Africa and Australia. Spanish missionaries established the first vineyards in South America, while French and English colonists began planting grapes in North America. The spread of grape varieties during this period led to the development of unique wine cultures in different parts of the world.

In the middle of the 19th century, the vineyards of Europe suffered a serious crisis - the phylloxera infestation. This pest from North America destroyed almost all of Europe's vineyards. Eventually, scientists discovered that European grape varieties could be grafted onto the rhizomes of wild American grapes to resist the pest, a technique that saved the entire European wine industry and is still in use today. viticulture and winemaking have improved dramatically over the course of the twentieth century, thanks to advances in agricultural technology and genetic research. Genetic research has enabled scientists to breed grape varieties that are adapted to different climatic conditions, while precision farming techniques have made vineyard management more efficient. For example, drone monitoring technology can help farmers determine the growth status of grapes and minimize the occurrence of diseases.