Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/24 – 79), called Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire; as well as a friend of the emperor Vespasian. He wrote the encyclopedic Naturalis Historia (Natural History), which became an editorial model for encyclopedias.
He also happened to write about Lambrusco and the antiquitus nature of European grape varietals.
Still not convinced? He also said, In vino veritas. "In wine there is truth."