I was fascinated by the history of grapes , when they first were planted and used to make wine. Then how all the various species of vine types made their way across the world creating specific styles of wine.
It all started over 6,000 to 8,000 years ago in the Near East.
Earliest record of fermented wine is from 8,000 years ago in Georgia.
Earliest recorded winery is from 4,000 years ago in Amenia
9th century AD in the city of Shiraz created the finest wines in the Middle East
Eventually grape growing made its way to Europe and North America.
The main grape vine (or father of all vines) is Vitis Vinifera
This is the main grape type used in making the wine classics from Europe, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States. From this original species came the common grape varieties we know today. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and more.
Further break out of the Vitis Vinifera grapes are
Amurenis Mostly in Asian wines
Labrusca North America, producing foxy wines, ie Concord
Mustangensis Mississippi,Alabama,Texas, Oklahoma
Ripara Wines and Jams, East Coast USA up to Quebec
Rotundifolia Wines and Jams, Southern USA Delaware to Mexico
Grapevines and grapes are grown just about in every country throughout the world. Even in the driest or coldest of climates, there are grapes to be grown. And where grapes are grown, wine is to be made.
Here are the top areas that plant vines / grapes for wine making purposes
Spain 11,750 (all in km)
France 8,640
Italy 8,270
Turkey 8,120
United States 4,150
Argentina 2,080
Australia 1,642
The partial destruction of Grapes in Europe
Grape phylloxera (an insect) originated in France. By the late 19th century, most of Europe vines were destroyed by phylloxera, mostly in France. Phylloxera insect is native to North America, where for the most part the grapes were resistant to the insect. Not so with Vitis Vinifera.
To combat this, most European vineyards developed a practice of grafting
their vines onto North American root stocks. This was not suppose to have any impact on the actual growing or quality of the grape. But you will hear many stories that say, the French wines prior to phylloxera were superior to any wine grafted onto an American root! Whatever the case, this practice saved Europe and allowed for the continuing growth and cultivation of grapes.
The Grapes (Here are just some of the more popular)
I took this list from www.wineturtle.com to include a link to each of the following grapes.