Local fans of the wine like to say that Prosecco’s ancestor was the Pucinum wine that was much praised by the chroniclers of ancient Rome and that was much discussed because it seemed to be the preferred beverage of the Empress Livia, who apparently drank large quantities of it.

       The historians do not accept that thesis, however, and regard Pucinum as the remote ancestor of Refosco, basing their argument on a description of Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia, in which he referred to the ancient variety as “omnium nigerrima” (entirely black—or red). Therefore, Prosecco as it is today can not be regarded with all the best will in the world as resembling Pucinum. 
       Conegliano’s reputation as a land of excellent wines is cited in documents going back to the 10th century. And, in 1606, a report sent by the Podestà of Conegliano to the Senate mentions the first international demand for the wines with buyers hurrying in from as far away as Germany and Poland and not hesitating to offer exorbitant bids to assure themselves of the finest output. 
       One of the elements that has guaranteed the Prosecco di Conegliano a constantly high level of quality throughout the present century has been the presence in its production area of the School of Viticulture and Enology of Conegliano, which was founded in 1876. Since its establishment, the school has served as a point of reference for scientific and technological research by the whole of modern Italian enology. 

Map of the production area

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