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Posted on 05/30/2005 9:09:52 PM PDT by freedom44
TEHRAN: Archaeologists digging in southern Iran have found a pool and pots they believe were used some 1,800 years ago for large scale wine production, reinforcing the now-Islamic nation's status as the cradle of wine drinkers.
"We have found an almost intact pool with a canal in the middle of it. This is where the juices from crushed grapes would flow and be collected later in pots for fermentation and turning into wine," Ali Asadi, the head of the excavation team said. The team, which includes a group of Polish archaeologists, is digging at a site called Tange Bolaghi, near the southern city of Shiraz - a name also associated with fine wine.
Asadi said the team has also unearthed grape seeds, huge clay pots and remains of other similar pools in the area.
"The size of the pots and abundance of grapes in the area suggests wine could have been produced for commercial purposes at the facility," Asadi said.
Iran is believed to be the place where wine was first made - a jar containing the remains of 7,000-year-old wine was found some 30 years ago in the kitchen area of a mud-brick building in Hajji Firuz Tepe, a Neolithic village in Iran's Zagros Mountains.
The country may have a wine making heritage that is second to none, but alcohol manufacture and consumption has been banned in the country since the 1979 Islamic
GGG
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Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
"a jar containing the remains of 7,000-year-old wine was found some 30 years ago in the kitchen area of a mud-brick building in Hajji Firuz Tepe, a Neolithic village in Iran's Zagros Mountains."
Doesn't that mean the wine is 7,030 years old now?
Geez - Easy!
:)
Most people don't know that Shiraz wine is named after Shiraz, Iran.
isn't it named after a grape? is the grape indigenous to this area?
Shiraz is often vinified on its own, but is also frequently blended with other grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Viognier. It is grown in many wine producing regions around the world.
It is believed that the name of the grape Shiraz was taken from that of the city of Shiraz, Iran, where the process of winemaking is believed to have originated 7000 years ago. However that may be, some argue that this grape originated in France, based on a DNA study in 1998. The study claimed that the grape had originated in the vicinity of the Northern Rhône valley of France, as the result of a cross of the "Dureza" and "Mondeuse Blanche" grape varieties. Although, historic accounts state that the Syrah/Shiraz was brought into southern France by a returning crusader, Guy De'Sterimberg. He became a hermit and developed a vineyard on a steep hill where he lived in the Rhone River Valley. It became known as the Hermitage. Shiraz continues to be the main grape of the Northern Rhône and is associated with classic wines such as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. Although its best incarnations will age for decades, less-extracted styles may be enjoyed young for their lively red and blue berry characters and smooth tannin structure. Shiraz has been widely used as a blending grape in the red wines of many countries due to its fleshy fruit mid-palate, balancing the weaknesses of other varieties and resulting in a "complete" wine.
Wines made from Shiraz are often quite powerfully flavoured and full-bodied. The variety produces wines with a wide range of flavor notes, depending on the climate and soils where it is grown, as well as other viticultural practices chosen. Aroma characters can range from violets to berries, chocolate, espresso and black pepper. No one aroma can be called "typical." With time in the bottle these "primary" notes are moderated and then supplemented with earthy or savory "tertiary" notes such as leather and truffle. ("Secondary" flavor and aroma notes are those associated with winemakers' practices, such as oak barrel and yeast regimes, and are not typically associated with specific grape varieties.) Indeed, many premium Shiraz-based wines are at their best after some considerable time aged in a cellar. Perhaps the greatest and most famous Shiraz-based wine of Australia, Penfolds Grange, is known for its impressive ageability, which, along with its consistently outstanding quality, make it one of the world's most collectible wines. In 2004 a bottle of the 1951 Penfolds Grange sold at auction for A$50,200. Shiraz is also used to make the unique "sparkling Shiraz," a deep-red sparkling wine which also ages very well. A notable example is "Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz," only released by the winery after 10 years bottle age, which demonstrates characteristic rich blackberry, mocha and beef notes. There is also a small amount of Rosé wine produced from the Syrah grape.
It is today Australia's most popular red grape, but Shiraz has not always been in favor in Australia; in the 1970s white wine was so popular growers were ripping out unprofitable Shiraz vineyards, even those with very old vines. Many factors, including the French paradox and the affinity of influential wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. for the lush, powerful wines produced from Shiraz caused a turnaround in demand, and plantings expanded dramatically through the 1980s and 1990s.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiraz_grape"
Click to be added or removed.Antiquity wine ping.
The French called the Shiraz grape Syrah. The Aussies stuck with the point of origin. Thus the famous slogan: "You can bet Shiraz on St. Hallet"
I think most of Afghanistan is too arid to grow quality grapes without significant additional water. And then they don't have the technology or talent to make the wine, age it, bottle it, then ship it. Most of that country is still in the dark ages. Growing poppies is a lot easier, brainless too.
Good god! Your picture just about says it all. I bet those vintners are squirming at the thought of the Shiraz comeback as they savor their "2-buck Chuck" vines now.
Well I dunno. UCDavis has already been there recommending varietals and rootstock.
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