2,600-Year-Old Wine Press Unearthed in Lebanon

Part of the appeal of drinking wine is the history: partaking in a tradition that has endured for thousands of years.Thanks to this intermingling of wine and history, archeologists continue to make discoveries that add to our understanding.And that's exactly what happened in Lebanon where researchers recently uncovered a 2,600-year-old wine press.The press was in a "remarkable state of preservation," confirming that the location was the site of innovative winemaking.The interdisciplinary approach adopted by the Tell el-Burak Archaeological Project has allowed understanding how this installation was built, its technology (with special regard to the plaster), and the process of winemaking from the trampling of the grapes to the storage of the final product in amphorae, Adriano Orsingher,Co-author.The plaster basin could hold about 1,200 gallons, and much of the resulting product was apparently shipped abroad.These findings also help solidify the Phoenicians' burgeoning reputation as ancient wine traders and influencers.So next time you need something to toast to, consider clinking glasses in honor of the early Phoenicians