Wild vines that were found on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) have now been identified following genetic studies, confirming intentions to make wine on the island in the 19th century. The research paper was published just in time for the long Easter weekend, revealing Easter Island has been hosting at least six different grape varieties since the 19th century with multiple vineyard sites around the island. The grape vines, which have been left uncultivated for over a century, include País and Moscatel de Alejandría — two of the first Vitis vinifera varieties believed to have been planted in the Americas — as well as three native Criolla varieties and one as of yet unknown variety. The five known varieties reveal that the grape vines most likely arrived to Easter Island from mainland Chile, however the unknown variety remains a mystery. “Based on its SSR haplotypic pattern [the unknown variety] probably had a direct European ancestry,” the research article, authored by several researchers, states. The samples were taken from several sites around the island where the old vines still produce grapes — most notably in and around the Rano Kau crater. Although there are historic references to vineyards being planted on the island in the late 1800s, when the missionaries left the island in the early 20th century the vineyards are believed to have been abandoned. It is yet unknown if anyone successfully made wine from these vineyards, as there are no written records evidencing anything beyond the intention of using these
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine
