[originaltext] Since ancient times, people have grown grapes to produce wine

Since ancient times, people have grown grapes to produce wine. It is hard to say how long people have been drinking wine. Wine is far older than recorded history. The first wine ever made was probably an accident. People in ancient times might have picked ripe grapes. Some juicy grapes at the bottom of the container were crushed together. As the grapes broke open, chemical substances on the skins went to work, turning sugar from the fruit into alcohol. This is the process that turns grape juice into wine. Winemaking probably began in the ancient Egypt. Wine was not just about having an enjoyable drink. It could be stored for future use. And, it was nutritious and often much safer to drink than water during early times, especially in cities. Some experts say that up until the early 1600s in Europe, wine was the only prepared drink. After that, wine had competition from beer, coffee and tea. One thing was very important for the start of the modern wine industry. Wine needed a better storage method. In the mid 1600s, people began making glass wine bottles that were stronger and at a lower cost. Before that, wine was transported in containers made out of wood or leather. Glass bottles and the tight seal of a cork permitted wine to last longer in storage. It became clear that wine aged well and tasted even better over time. These developments led to a whole new kind of wine culture. Today, the top wine producing countries in the world are Italy, France and Spain, followed by the US. Although Europe is still important in the wine industry, many other countries around the world are making top wines. These countries include Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
20. How was the first wine made?
21. What can we learn about wine in the early 1600s?
22. What is one of the advantages of glass bottles in the modern wine industry?