The Economist explains; How did winemaking reach France?

France sits at the pinnacle of the wine world. Its characteristic regional styles—including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone blends and Champagne—are imitated by winemakers around the globe. But in the grand scheme of things France is a relative latecomer to viticulture. Winemaking began in the Zagros mountains of northern Iran in the 6th millennium BC, and then spread throughout the Near East to the Mediterranean. But how and when did knowledge of winemaking arrive in France? Evidence unearthed by a team led by Patrick McGovern, of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, provides the most detailed answer so far.

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Actmedia.eu: Premier Ponta requests control body to check contract with Bechtel

Premier Victor Ponta on Monday sent the control body to Bechtel and asked them to check the contract with this company, governmental sources told Agerpres.The contract with Bechtel for the Transilvania motorway, connecting Brasov (central Romania) to Bors (western Romania), totally ends on Monday, currently being almost cancelled, said Minister Delegate for Infrastructure Projects and Foreign Investments Dan Sova recently. ‘On Monday it ends totally. The sum is established,’ said Sova.

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