Astronauts, severe penalties, and electoral preferences. The world revolves around wine. To prove it, here are ten curiosities that you absolutely cannot miss.
- The penalty provided by the Hammurabi code (1800 BC) for the fraudulent sale of wine was drowning.
- Fragolino wine is obtained from Vitis lambrusca (also called strawberry or American grapes) or from its hybrids with the European species. Both Italian and European legislation prohibit its sale, while it can be produced safely for personal consumption. The only region within the EU where its sale and production for commercial purposes is permitted is Burgenland, in Austria. The product that we find on supermarket shelves, however, is a mixture of wine, sugar, syrups or fruit flavorings.
- A study conducted by French researchers suggests that drinking red wine could help counteract the effects of microgravity, thanks to the presence of resveratrol. It seems that this substance, an antioxidant that prevents blood clotting, reduces “bad” cholesterol and protects blood vessels, is able to counteract the loss of bone and muscle density, one of the major problems that astronauts encounter during their stay in space.
- Enophobia is the uncontrolled and irrational aversion to wine.
- California, with 224,000 hectares cultivated by more than 900 producers, represents over 90% of the wine production in the United States.
- To produce a 0.75l bottle, an average of 1.2 kg of grapes are needed.
- In ancient times, the presence of bubbles in wine was attributed to the influence of the moon and evil spirits.
- A curious study conducted by GFK (an American consumer association) and published in the Washington Post, has linked the propensity and preferences to vote with alcohol consumption. Among other things, it was discovered that Democratic voters prefer to consume white and sparkling wines, possibly from overseas, while Republicans seem to prefer Californian red wines.
- The term Vendemmia refers only to wine grapes, for table grapes it refers to harvest.
- Patrick McGovern (University of Pennsylvania) analyzed residues contained in an amphora of Etruscan origin, dating back to 500 BC, found near Lattes (southern France). The conclusion? French wine was born in Italy: it was the Etruscans who introduced the local populations to viticulture.
