The Grapes Impact Worldwide Through History

The Grapes Impact Worldwide Through History Vitis vinifera, or more commonly known as the grape, is a fruit that is put to good use every day throughout the world. Grape production continues to increase every year around the globe to support the high demand that grapes continue to create. Most of the production is used to make wine, but it is also used for table, and raisin grape production (Rieger 2004). The numerous uses for the grape have been discovered and perfected throughout history. The sweetness of the berry and the ability to produce wine from it has kept it cultivated and put to use for over nine thousand years. The natural history and geological origin of the vitis vinifera is what caused the global spread and economic success of the grape which still is still in high demand today. The original cultivation and domestication of the grape vine is not absolute certain. The first archeological evidence of the grape dates all the way back to the Bronze Age. A clay vase with wine residue was found as well as grape seeds. These artifacts were discovered around the Mediterranean area which is thought to be the original origin (Pastor 2010). Viticulture started to spread from its original location all over the Mediterranean and up through Europe. It started to spread rapidly through France around fifth century B.C. After introduced to this area it continued to spread all over Europe and over the Middle East. At this point in history grapes were being used for food, and to make wine which was being drunk mostly for hydration purposes. A new religious movement would call for the use of wine. Jesus during his last super symbolized bread and wine as his flesh and blood. This moment in the bible became a religious tradition for the Christian Faith (Sheppard 2010). This new idea started in Israel, relatively close to where wine and grapes were continuing to gain popularity. The common use, and now cultural use of grapes during this time period made the plant a part of these societies lifestyles. Geography plays a huge role in the popularity of viticulture throughout time. The areas which were exposed to, and domesticated the grape regularly early on, are in fact still on top of the grape cultivation today. The three main producers of grapes during the present day are France, Spain, and Italy (Sheppard). When the wide spread of viticulture began it started in modern day France and jumped quickly to present day Spain, and Italy. The fact that the three leaders in grape cultivation today, were also three of the first lands to be exposed to it. That statement shows that there is differently some correlation between the origin of vitis vinefera and the long term success and production of the plant. The question is what inspired the people of these lands to continuously grow and use this crop. It had to be because they instituted the grape into their everyday culture to where it was almost a necessity. France is known for their wine. It is considered an enjoyable beverage. The French have always cultivated many types of wine, and lots of it. In their culture wine is to be enjoyed as a beverage. The Spanish, who were introduced to wine not much longer after the French, have enjoyed wine for special occasions and ceremonies throughout their history. Wine was woven into their everyday culture and will probably never leave. The Italians look at wine as if it were water. It is acceptable to drink whenever, wherever as a refreshment, and has been that way for some time (Sheppard). These are a few examples of how the grape makes a permanent mark on whatever society it was introduced to. The center of origin for the grape played a huge role in the spread, and use of this plant, but this is not the sole reason for its outburst. The biology and wild life factors of the grape had just as much influence on the global expansion, and economic success as the original origin of the plant did. The original grapevine was given the scientific name vitis venifera, or commonly known as “the old world grape”. The same grapevine that was discovered thousands of years ago is still the most common grape species that accounts for up to 90 percent of the total production (Rieger). Grapevines are a deciduous plant which means the plant’s taproot produces many vines that eventually sprout small berries. The berries then enter a veraison stage that produces the ripe fruit that is enjoyed worldwide (Kinaston 2002). The cultivation methods of grape vines have not changed much at all since the beginning of domestication. The first ancient cultivators used the same type of pruning systems or ways to control light exposure, to facilitate harvesting, and to manage yield, that we still use today. Seeds found at the original domestication area, are very similar to the domesticated seeds you would find today. They are fatter then wild grapevine seeds are because they have been breaded to produce larger yields (Pastor). This discovery of hybridization and genetic selection paved way for many new breeds of grapevines to take place. The ancient farmers of the grape started to breed many different strains of grape the vine. They created vines with larger berries, sweeter berries, and combined other traits that were beneficial to them. The new variety of grapes created many more uses for the grape (Pastor). Certain wines were produced with certain vines. This resource increased the popularity and demand of grapes worldwide. The trade of grapes started to increase once the world started becoming more globally active after the 14th century (Rieger). A new world had been found on the western hemisphere of the globe. More land, which meant more room for crops. The grapevine was initially introduced to the Americas when the Spanish harvested several types of grapevines along the coast of California. The climate of this area was perfect for the cultivation of grapes and many American wines are still made by the new strains that were created there (Rieger). One of the main reasons that the Europeans who were trying to colonize the Americas started harvesting grapes rapidly was because of the pest problems back home. Certain pests like mealy bugs and mites, and plant diseases like Pierces disease, were causing an epidemic of dying vineyards in the old world (Kinaston). The luxury of having new land to cultivate grapes away from these potential crop killers made way for a new and large fruit industry. Right behind France, Italy, and Spain in grape production currently, is the United States of America (FAO). The expansion of grape cultivation to the Americas which was caused by natural biological problems, and the ability to create new vines on new land, is what established a current world leader in grape production. Once vitis veifera had been exposed to whole planet, harvests only increased. Grapes are currently being massed produced in over 90 countries (Rieger). This reinforces the idea that once the grapevine is introduced somewhere, it usually never disappears. Although there are hundreds of grape varieties out there, the one still used the most in wine production is the vitis veifera. As well as some French-American hybrids. The wine demand around the world is very steady and production is continuously increasing. The grape industry is estimated to be worth around 2.9 billion dollars; this gives it the highest value out of any other fruit crops (Rieger). Although some countries had a head start in the grape business, current farming technology and knowledge allow grapes to be mass produced anywhere that is suitable. Having that flexibility makes the crop a true global market. . A modern day example of this would be the country of Bulgaria. The grapevine was introduced centuries ago. In the past 80 years grape and wine production has been the leading agricultural and food export (Pantaleeva 2010). The recent problems in the country’s grape production has put a big hurt on the overall economy. This demonstrates the dependence of this crop in some societies. 20 of the top grape businesses are located in 10 different countries (Rieger). Though other countries are competing in the global grape production race, it is clear that the top producing countries had an advantage due to their historical past. The current grape business that produces the most wine per year in volume is located in California. It is Consellation Brands Inc. (Sheppard). America might produce the largest quantity of wine, but the best quality wine company roots back to where grape cultivation first boomed, France. Pernod Ricard is the global leader in production and sales of wine (Sheppard). The production and consumption of grapes and wine is very prevalent worldwide, but the nations that had a head start in the global grapevine race continue to prevail above the rest. The social and cultural use and importance has fluctuated throughout grapes history. Grapes were first put to use as a source of nutrition, and hydration. These are still the most common uses, but not the only ones. Wine drunken for religious purposes has maintained its importance throughout history. It may be more prevalent in certain parts of the world then others, but it still is consumed on a regular basis for religious purposes. The amount of people and the type of people consuming wine is starting to alter. The popularity of wine in younger generations in France, Spain, and Italy are starting to decline (Sheppard). Reasoning behind this could be the cultural significance of wine in these areas is diminishing. Another reason could be that the youth are substituting more concentrated alcohols for wine so they can receive more of a “drunk”. While the younger generations in those areas are consuming less wine, it is the exact opposite in other parts of the world. The United Sates, the U.K, and parts of northern Europe have shown an increase in consumption recently (Sheppard). Perhaps the countries who were introduced to wine later on in history, like the U.S., will continue to drink more wine because they are not as accustomed to it as the first countries who domesticated the crop. The market for grapes is the most profitable fruit crop out there due has ability to grow all over the world (FAO). This ability has produced a global market for millenniums and will continue to do so. There are a very high number of fruit that originated right around or even before grapes were being cultivated. However, none of these fruits have kept up with the economic dominance of the grapes throughout time. The grape has its own significant use in each different society that cultivated it. The discovery of cross-breeding grapes started a new movement which provided even greater use of grapes. Vitis Verifera impacted a range of people. Some who were around during the first domestication which occurred around the Mediterranean 7000 years ago, and it is still impacting people who see the grapevine as a relatively new thing today. Each population that has been exposed to this plant has benefited in some way from it. Whether they drank wine as a religious beverage, consumed it for special occasions, or benefited from the economic surplus that we are experiencing today. The grape is fruit that has played an influential role in many different civilizations during the course of history. The rapid spread of the crop all over the globe was made possible by the mastered botany skills of this plant. The combination of those two manifested the most successful fruit crop in the world.

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Pantaleeva, D. (2010). Agricultural Economics and Management.
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Rieger, M. (2004). University of Georgia. Fruit Crops. Retrieved from http://www.fruit-crops.com/grape
Sheppard, J. (2010). Duke University. The Global Wine Industry. Retrieved from http://www.duke.edu/web/soc142/team5/