World's Oldest Wine Found in 2,000-Year-Old Spanish Tomb

Archaeologists from the University of Córdoba have uncovered what is believed to be the world's oldest wine, dating back over 2,000 years, in a Roman mausoleum in Carmona, southern Spain. The discovery was made within a funerary urn that also contained the cremated remains of a man. This ancient white wine, identified by its chemical composition, particularly polyphenols, shares similarities with current fino wines produced in the Jerez area of Andalusia. The findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

The wine, which was well-preserved due to the tomb's conservation conditions, was identified by a team led by Professor José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola. The research ruled out other possible causes for the liquid's preservation, such as floods or condensation. This discovery surpasses the previously known oldest wine, the Speyer wine bottle from the fourth century AD. The analysis revealed a pH level of 7.5 and a higher potassium content compared to modern wines, indicating significant chemical changes over the centuries.