Who knew that the first attempt at domestic agricultural would not be a wheat crop, but grape vines?

A major study undertaken involving some 80 researchers from around the globe (17 nations) sought out the foundations of agriculture. The lead author of the study was Yang Dong, but the corresponding authors were Drs. Wei Chen and Jun Sheng (both from Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Science, China Academy of Science), anď Dr. Shaohua Li. (Yunan Agricultural University).  The article is entitled “Dual domestications and origin of traits in grapevine evolution” and was published in Science.

The research indicated that wine was domesticated right after the Ice Age ended, some 11000 years ago,  in the Far East. But, since those folks had not yet invented writing, they failed to rate the wines or to indicate the preparations involved.  The data does indicate that domestication occurred twice- once in the Caucasus region (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan) and once in Western Asia. (The regions are about 600 miles apart.)

Given this information, that wine production was the first agricultural activity, it is not surprising that one of the first mentions in the Tora (bible) brings up wine. 

In the book of Noah (of which a similar account is found in the book of Enoch, and the story of the Flood is found among many other cultures), Genesis Chapters 6 to 11, we find that Noah becomes inebriated as soon as he is liberated from the duties of minding the ark and the animals.

Here is the verbiage from Chapter 9, verse 20ff.

And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. [See how fast that vineyard is mentioned!] Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham [his son], the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Obviously, there’s a lesson in there for us.  That if we abuse alcohol, we not only lose our dignity, but (this is not truly found in the English translation) it seems Noah may have been sexually assaulted while he was drunk, as well.

Now, yesterday and today, we Jewish folks celebrate the holiday of Purim.  (For those who live in walled cities or are S’fardi Jews, the holiday continues and is called Shushan Purim.)   And, if you read my blog on Monday, you will recall it is customary for the Jewish people to over imbibe on this holiday.  (Both to make it impossible to discern the difference between the hero [Mordechai] and the villain [Haman] of the story and to teach us how bad it feels to get inebriated and have us not to do so generally.) Many of the events described in the Book of Esther all revolved about wine.

11000 years ago.  Boy, am I glad that we found ways to make fantastic wines over the Millennia.

(Along those lines, there is new indication that we can discern via genetic testing who among us will be more likely to become an alcoholic (or an over imbiber of wine). 

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