The world’s oldest bottle of wine, which has existed for nearly 1,700 years, is safe to consume according to experts. Known as the Speyer bottle, it can be found at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in the city of Speyer, Germany. The bottle was discovered in 1867, when people were excavating the grave of a Roman nobleman and noblewoman who were buried near what is now the German city of Speyer. The drink itself dates back to approximately 325 CE, making the bottle some 1,697 years old. Revealing whether or not it would be safe to drink, wine professor Monika Christmann said, “Micro-biologically it is probably not spoiled, but [as you can tell based on its appearance] it would not bring joy to the palate.’ The Speyer bottle that remains on its premises is one of 15 bottles that remained intact; it was sealed shut when first discovered. It’s believed that the Romans used spices and honey to enhance the taste of their wine. Combining them with olive oil to keep any air out of the bottle, the inclusion of these ingredients could explain why the bottle has managed to survive the test of time.
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