Wine Production Potential and Wine Economy of the Ancient City of Perre

Abstract

This study aims to determine the viticulture and wine production potential of the ancient city of Perre, located in Southeastern Turkey. For this, the characteristics and production models of the six wineries discovered in the city were elaborated. Then, agricultural areas in the city and its vicinity were identified and analysed by means of remote sensing, photogrammetry, and geographical information systems, using the digital elevation model. The elevation analysis yielded a total agricultural area of 180 hectares. Since it is commonly accepted that the maximum slope should be 15% for viticulture, areas with more than 15% slope were removed from the slope map made for the identified 180 hectares, leaving 130 hectares suitable for viticulture. Studies on viticulture assert that at most 70% of agricultural land is used for viticulture. Hence, the maximum area suitable for viticulture in Perre was calculated as approximately 90 hectares. Entering data into the software we developed, it was found that at most 491,400 litres of wine could be produced annually in Perre. Assuming that 10% of the produce was discarded during the production phase, the maximum amount of wine that could be produced annually was determined as 442,260 litres. The proximity of Perre to the legions positioned along the Euphrates, which formed the Roman-Parthian border, its being on a trade route, the existence of veteran soldiers settled in the city, and its becoming a bishopric centre in the Late Antiquity must have incentivized the people of Perre to produce wine on an industrial scale.