Instructor: David Anderson, WSET- Level 3

The story of grapes and humans is one of intertwined connection since the dawn of recorded time. The progression of human cultures across this planet over millennia occurred in tandem with the proliferation of different grape varietals over the same space and time. It is more than coincidence; Groups of people would travel with grapevine cuttings, planting them as they moved across the land. Through intentional farming of different varietals, early civilizations established a global wine industry that continues to this day.

The following is an account of how some of the earliest-known wine grape varietals came to be — some still in production to this day — that along with historical events, archaeological research, and recent grape DNA analysis, provides but one perspective on the full story of wine grapes, and why they play such an important role in present-day human life.

In this session, we examine eight ancient wine grape varietals, the role they played in their rightful time, and how they may have shaped the path that resulted in the world of wines we know today.

Extended curriculum (4593 words). This is a self-directed online course.  Wines are not included.