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Were members of the animal kingdom the planet's first wine tipplers?

Biologists have noted that birds and primates have always been naturally drawn to the smell of ethanol produced by fermented fruit.

And, of course, humans certainly took an early interest — in fact, the earliest historical records provide detailed information on wine and wine growing areas in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Egypt.

Today, France and Germany, Hungary, Italy and many other European countries proudly boast wine histories dating back to the Romans and Celts. While Africa, the Americas and Australia are relative newcomers to wine making, their native populations were surely master vintners as well.

Today, the art of drinking wine has been so fine-tuned that wine drinking has been elevated to an art, while volumes could be written just on the history of the wine glass alone.

Sit back, grab a glass and join us on a deep dig into what else lies ahead on the Web concerning the varied, fascinating and lively history of wine ...

also see -> Wine Fun Facts, Myths & Trivia

More about wine history around the Web:

WINE 101: Wine History - Beginning with Noah and the Old Testament, on up to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Greco-Roman period, (with factoids on the world's oldest wine bottle) and across the Atlantic to New World vintners, the rise of the California wine industry, and including a good list of related links.

The Development of Wine and The Western World - Wine and the rise of Western civilization tightly intertwined with focus on the grape's impact on history, facts on its popularity with a related timeline, scientific discoveries, regional wine making, and more on grape varieties, tasting and caring for wine.

The Origins & Ancient History of Wine - Patrick McGovern's discovery of an ages-old wine jar pointing to wine's early origins in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and although the forum is now quiet and the links page outdated, it remains a great detective story with related research, map and glossary.

On the History of Wine in Greece - Some heavy slogging, but mainly a delight in pages of illustrated, meticulously researched Greek history from ancient to modern - with stops in Rome and Byzantium, Independent Greece, and an extensive page of related links.

Wines- A Legacy of France - The immersion course in French wine beginning with the Middle Ages, a discussion on the Phylloxera disaster in 19th century on up to modern harvesting, fermenting, and maturation processes together with practical info on buying French wine, winery visits, related resources and suggested reading.

The History of Champagne- Into Wine hosts an online celebration with a colorful history on the medieval monk/inventor - Dom Pérignon - together with a pronunciation guide, vintage chart, tips on serving champagne and don't miss Champagne at the Movies.

Vintage Direct - Wine History - Articles that range from wine in ancient Egypt and Drinking Vessels of Bygone Days to profiles of historic wine pioneers in modern Australia, beautifully presented and as interesting to read as they are informative.

Ancient Wine Traditions in Spain and Portugal - Check out a complete overview beginning with the Romans, through the Moorish occupation and more on contributions to the regions wine industry through the centuries.