Discovery of Ancient White Chianti
Deep beneath the Tuscan hillside of Cetamura del Chianti, a two‑thousand‑year‑old cache of grape seeds lay preserved in oxygen‑poor mud. Researchers from the University of York have extracted DNA from these seeds, overturning the long‑standing image of Chianti as an exclusively red‑wine region. The genetic evidence reveals that for centuries, the famed wine belt primarily produced white wine.
Centuries of Continuity
The study examined 80 grape pits dated between 300 BC and 300 AD, providing the most extensive genetic snapshot of ancient vines from a single location. Most of the seeds belong to a single clone that travelled directly from the Etruscans to the Romans, remaining virtually unchanged for a millennium. DNA markers confirm the grape’s pale skin, confirming a white‑fruit variety that once dominated the Chianti landscape.
Roman Trade Networks and New Varieties
After the Roman conquest of Cetamura, the seed assemblage shows the sudden appearance of foreign grape types, likely introduced from across the empire. One of the dominant white clones shares a close genetic relationship with ancient seeds found in southern France, suggesting a wide‑reaching Roman effort to standardise wine production throughout its territories.
Links to Living Heritage Vines
One of the ancient seeds belongs to a family still cultivated today in Central and Eastern Europe. Its closest living relative is the rare Hungarian variety Baratcsuha szurke. Moreover, the discovery ties directly to a 400‑year‑old vine in Maribor, Slovenia – the world’s oldest still‑bearing grapevine. This connection underscores the resilience and longevity of the lineage, allowing modern drinkers to taste a lineage that once graced Roman banquet tables.
Implications for Modern Viticulture
Although Chianti now enjoys global fame for its robust Sangiovese reds, a modest amount of white grapes continues to be grown in the area. The new findings encourage a re‑evaluation of the region’s viticultural history and may inspire winemakers to revisit ancient white varietals that once defined the landscape.
Source: https://scientias.nl/chianti-was-eeuwenlang-witte-wijn-tot-de-romeinen-kwamen/
