| Wine making has been carried out in one form or | | | | but the conditions also force the roots to |
| another for thousands of years with pottery jars | | | | penetrate deep into the earth where they absorb |
| found in Persia (present day Iran) dating as far | | | | a range of complex minerals. |
| back as 5,500 BC displaying evidence of grapes | | | | Vineyards are also frequently found along river |
| use for winemaking. Additionally, jars from Jiahu in | | | | valleys, with slopes providing abundant sunshine. |
| China dated to somewhere between 6000 and | | | | Vines in these circumstances are frequently of |
| 7000 BC have also been found containing wine | | | | the European species vitis vinifera, from which |
| made from wild grapes. | | | | various well known wines are made, like |
| But whether we are considering ancient or | | | | Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. |
| modern wine making, a number of the same | | | | Viticulture, the term used for the practice of |
| conditions apply and similar techniques are used | | | | grape growing for winemaking, is one of the most |
| because the chemistry of the grape is an | | | | complicated agricultural undertakings today. A |
| everlasting quality. | | | | master vintner (nowadays, sometimes referred |
| With a few notable exceptions the grapes used in | | | | to as an oenologist), must be an expert in a wide |
| wine making grow only only between latitudes | | | | range of subjects including soil chemistry, |
| 30-50 degrees North and 30-45 degrees South of | | | | fermentation, climatology and several other |
| the equator. As opposed to many other crops, | | | | ancient arts and modern sciences. |
| grapes do not require a particularly fertile soil and | | | | As well as categorization by variety, wines are |
| it should be noted that a thinner soil frequently | | | | also classified by vinification methods (sparkling, |
| results in a small crop but also frequently | | | | still, fortified, ros�, blush), by region |
| produces higher quality grapes. | | | | (Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux etc.), by vintage and |
| Surprisingly, soils which are rich in nitrogen and | | | | by a dozen other methods. |
| other nutrients (conditions which are normally | | | | As soon as the farmer, chemist and |
| highly beneficial for the majority of plants) can | | | | manufacturer have finished their job, the |
| produce grapes which are not suitable for | | | | businessman then takes the stage and today |
| winemaking. Such grapes are often excellent for | | | | wine is certainly very big business. Wine sales in |
| eating, but lack the desirable amounts of minerals, | | | | the US alone run to over 600 million gallons, |
| acids and sugars for winemaking. | | | | representing over $20 billion in consumer spending. |
| Without doubt, the finest wines come from soils | | | | Perhaps not surprisingly France is the world leader |
| which would be thought of as poor quality for | | | | when it comes to exports with 22% of world |
| other agricultural purposes. The stellar wines from | | | | export volume, with Italy following close behind. |
| Bordeaux, for example, are made from grapes | | | | At the end of the day however, no matter how |
| grown in gravelly soil, on a base of chalk or clay. | | | | big a business wine making has become, it is still |
| The crop here is small, but the quality of the | | | | very much a balance of science, art and business |
| grapes produced is high. In this instance the | | | | and winemaking is most certainly not a business |
| pebbly soil permits good drainage, which is vital as | | | | venture to be undertaken by anybody of a timid |
| vines require adequate but not excessive water, | | | | disposition. |