Tracing the emergence of domesticated grapevine in Italy

PLOSone ^ | April 23, 2025 | (full list below)

[SunkenCiv]

Our study explored the evolutionary trajectory of grapevine cultivation in Italy through the analysis of archaeological grape pips spanning approximately 7,000 years...

During the Early Neolithic and Early Bronze Age periods, the absence of morphologically domestic grapes suggests a reliance on wild grape gathering, possibly with some experiment of proto-cultivation of wild grape.

Despite previous research showing the presence of domestic grapes in Middle Bronze Age sites such as Pertosa Cave in southern Italy and Sa Osa in Sardinia, our study of grape pips from several other sites do not reveal robust evidence for domestic grapes in Middle Bronze Age sites in northern Italy.

The Late Bronze Age represents a significant turning point, with a notable increase in domestic grape pips in the southern area, indicating advanced grape selection and cultivation practices. Further advancement in the presence of domesticated grape became evident in northern Italy during the Iron Age in Etruscan sites.

The Roman period saw the refinement of viticulture practices, with prevalence of domestic grape pips across most sites. However, intriguing variations in grape composition suggest an increased use of wild-type grapevines in viticulture and possibly introgression between local wild and domestic grapevines, leading to the development of new varieties. The Medieval period demonstrates a widespread prevalence of domestic grape pips that displayed morphometric characteristics entirely similar to modern domestic grape reference.

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: agriculture; bronzeage; dietandcuisine; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; italy; oenology; zymurgy

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Authors: Mariano Ucchesu , Sarah Ivorra, Vincent Bonhomme, Thierry Pastor, Biancamaria Aranguren , Gianluigi Bacchetta, Giovanna Bosi, Andrea Cardarelli, Anna Depalmas, Gianni de Zuccato, Assunta Florenzano, Juan Francisco Gibaja-Bao, Marta Mariotti Lippi, Niccolò Mazzucco, Anna Maria Mercuri, Mario Mineo, Miria Mori Secci.

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

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• French wine 'has Italian origins' [Etruscans] [06/08/2013]
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[Dr. Franklin]

This research is the pits!

[SunkenCiv]

I’m relieved that puns on FR haven’t yet been stomped out.

[Bigg Red]

You can’t keep it bottled up....

[SunkenCiv]

Else ya might, for example, stitch people’s legs together...

[Monty Python reference]

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

But there will always be posters that wine about the puns. :)

[SunkenCiv]

You’re right, they should put a cork in it.