The first author to report on a wine of this name was Cato the Elder (234-149 BC), who ranked it right after Falernian in terms of quality. Other ancient authors who spoke in praise of the wine were Strabo (63 BC-28 AD), Tacitus (55-120). Virgil (70-19 BC), Columella (+70) and Pliny the Elder (23-79). According to a contemporary statement, the famous ancient wine (Vinum raeticum) was found on the tables of the rich. It is also said to have been a favourite wine of Emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD). It was made from a grape variety known as Uva Raetica (Uva Raetica, Uva Rhetica, Uva Rheticae, Vites Rhaeticas and also Uva Scripula). According to Pliny, this vine was allegedly brought to this area from Marseilles by the Phocians, a tribe originating from central Greece. The name derives either from the Roman province of Raetia or from the municipality of Raetia near Verona in Veneto. The province of Raetia covered a large area with parts in northern Italy, Tyrol-Austria, Switzerland and southern Germany.
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For my many years of work as an editor with a wine and culinary focus, I always like to inform myself about special questions at Wine lexicon. Spontaneous reading and following links often leads to exciting discoveries in the wide world of wine.
Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien