Burgundy: Ancient history

When the Romans (see rome) conquered Gaul in 51 bc, they probably found the celts inhabiting what is now Burgundy already growing wine, if not yet in substantial quantities. In the early 21st century the remains of a small vineyard dating back to the 1st century ad, apparently for the use of those living in a Roman villa close to Gibriacum (gevrey-chambertin) has been unearthed. A tombstone in the village church of Corgoloin depicts what appears to be a Celtic god with a vine in his right hand; other gravestones have carvings of grapes. Also, archaeologists have found no Italian amphorae of the mid 2nd century or later in Burgundy, which may indicate that from then on the region was producing enough wine of its own. From at least the 3rd century onwards, however, wine was transported from Italy in wooden barrels instead of amphorae, and wood is far more perishable than pottery.