An integral part of Mediterranean culture, wine is made by fermenting pressed grape juice. The resulting drink consists of water and alcohol, alongside volatile chemical compounds (aldehydes, ketones, esters) and non-volatile compounds (sugar, flavonoids, terpenes) in highly variable proportions. It has accompanied human rituals, celebrations, meals and moments socialisation or rest since at least the Palaeolithic era.
Wild grapevines, from which the earliest wines were made, produce their fruit in bunches. Although their berries are much smaller than today’s cultivated varieties, they are still sweet when ripe.
