Portugal
History Vines were probably first brought to Portugal by the Phoenicians. Portugal developed as a nation in the 12th century, when the Christians in the north drove the Moors south. Its borders are some of the oldest in Europe having remained virtually intact since the Moors left. The Methuen Treaty Portugal has long historical trading ties with Britain. [...]
Spain
History Grapes have been cultivated in Spain since 4000 B.C.. The Phoenicians founded the port of Gadir (now Cadiz) and moved inland to establish Xera (now Jerez) and introduced commercial winemaking. The Romans eventually ruled most of Spain from about 100 B.C. After the Roman Empire crumbled in the 5th Century, Spain was invaded by many barbarians [...]
Italy: The North
Piedmont (Piemonte): This region was part of the former Kingdom of Savoie. The proximity to France gave this region openness to new ideas and some prosperity which is reflected in the viticulture. It is one of the most stable and evolved areas in Italy and it has made the most progress in identifying proper areas for [...]
Italy: Central, South and the Islands
West Central Italy The whole central area is one of the most dynamic parts of Italy. Some of Tuscany’s leading négociants such as Antinori and Frescobaldi trace their history back to the Middle Ages. Tuscany is considered to be the barometer of Italy’s oenological renaissance: Modern methods, famous oenologists, etc… This quality-conscious revival has had an [...]
Italy: History & Wine Laws
History There has been many influences on the history of grape growing and winemaking in Italy: -The Greeks The Ancient Greeks named Italy Oenotria which means “Land of the Vine”. The Greeks are credited with planting the first vines around 800 BC. Early Italian winemaking was influenced by the Greeks in the south and in Sicily. The Greek [...]
EVENT CALENDAR
Wine Access- Decanter
- Wine Spectator
