Medieval Viticulture in the German-speaking Lands
Tom Scott
From the high Middle Ages onwards viticulture was most important sector of commercial agriculture in German-speaking lands, and a catalyst dissolution classical manorialism. Yet its history until recently has largely been sidelined accounts agrarian economy. Even latest introduction to central Europe by well-respected German scholar contains only few casual remarks on viticulture. The reasons for this neglect are not easy discern. Certainly, lack reliable information about yields, varietals, marketing consumption deterred detailed research; contrast, much written wine trade, least importance wines overseas markets, including England. Viticulture topic often left amateurs or enthusiasts, else con ned scienti c disciplines research institutes—botany, ampelography chemistry. In context it is undoubtedly true that encyclopaedic Friedrich von Bassermann-Jordan,  rst published 1907, cast very long shadow: years accorded canonical status, even though geographically less comprehensive than appeared.
German History