Ancient DNA Study Reveals Deep Roots of Modern Grapevines

New research into the genetic backstory of ancient French grapevines reveals that some varieties cultivated today haven't changed for centuries. (Credit: Victor Grigas/Wikimedia Commons)Consider this the next time you toast a friend and wish them long life: The wine swishing around your glass may have come from grapevines with very long-lived lineages indeed. Researchers analyzing genetic material from ancient grape seeds turned up evidence of varieties almost unchanged for nearly 2,000 yea