Wine trade flourished in Islamic Sicily during medieval period, research suggests

After expanding into Sicily, the Islamic community apparently thrived through the production and export of wine, writes Harry Cockburn

A 9-11th century amphorae from Sicily (University of York)

Analysis of wine containers made in the medieval period has revealed chemical residues of grapes, indicating a “prosperous wine trade” in Islamic Sicily, researchers have said.

A team from the University of York said traders in Sicily in the 9th-11th centuries appear to have given Sicilian wine a “rebrand”, by developing slightly differently shaped amphorae (the clay vases used to transport wine) and exported it across the Mediterranean.

Together with academics at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, the scientists analysed the content of the amphorae, and found compounds “comparable to those found in ceramic jars used by some producers today for maturing wine”.