Historical Treasures
The World’s oldest Unopened Bottle of Wine Germany, c.325-350 ce
The Speyer wine bottle
When tracing the history of wine, it is impossible to deny the impact that ancient Rome had on the practices of winemaking and viticulture. As the Empire expanded, the Romans became increasingly influenced by the advanced winemaking techniques used by the regions that they conquered, while also introducing production of the alcohol in countries such as France and Germany to provide a constant supply of wine for the Roman settlements located there.
This explains why the Speyer wine bottle, an extraordinary artefact of the ancient world, was discovered in the Rhinelandpalatinate region of Germany in 1867. It was found during the excavation of a tomb belonging to a Roman nobleman and his wife who, like many other Romans during the 4th century, were buried with a series of everyday items such as food and wine. Out of the 16 bottles found inside the grave, the Speyer bottle was the only one to remain intact and – to the amazement of archaeologists – it still contained its alcoholic liquid.
It is believed that the Speyer bottle, which is 1.5 litres, contains a white wine that was locally produced by the Romans and diluted with herbs. Against all odds, the wine had stayed preserved thanks to the bottle’s wax seal and a thick layer of olive oil, successfully keeping it airtight for over 1,650 years. While the addition of oil has kept the wine protected, it has also caused a solid layer to form inside the bottle which, frankly, looks less than appetising.
Although it was analysed by the Kaiser’s chemists during World War I, the bottle has never been opened and it remains on display at the Pfalz Historical Museum in Speyer ever since its discovery, alongside other unique artefacts associated with wine. For years, it has been debated whether the bottle should be opened for scientific analysis but it is feared that the contents would not handle being exposed to air after remaining undisturbed for around 1,650 years and so for now, the Speyer wine bottle will remain unopened.
“FOR YEARS IT HAS BEEN DEBATED WHETHER THE BOTTLE SHOULD BE OPENED ”