Uncovering the Fascinating History of Wine

The Greeks settled in southern Italy and exported their art of viticulture to Italy. Impressed by the mild climate, perfect for growing and making wine, they began to call Italy Oenotria. The Romans improved the technique used by the Greeks and the demand for wine increased rapidly. Wine was drunk with every meal, and since the alcohol content was higher, it had to be mixed with water. The Romans discovered that storing wine in closed containers made it better with age and were the first to store it in wooden barrels. In Italy, more than 400 grape varieties are grown and used to make wines. The most popular wines are Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and all super Tuscan.