Wine is one of the most ancient drinks known to humankind. The beverage can be found in records dating as far back as the Roman civilization. However, there was a time when the existence of wine was threatened and the wine industry in Spain tittered on the edge of extinction. This scare was all due to an oomycete known as Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew) that the organism destroys grapes by invading all parts of the plant with its mycelium, eventually, causing the fruit to shrivel and rot. Downy Mildew was accidently introduced into European vineyards from America when some European farmers begin using American grapes instead of European grapes because the American grapes were more resistant to an insect pest. Unfortunately, American grapes brought with them not only genetic resistance to the pest, but they also carried Plasmopara viticola. It was first noticed to affect European grapes in 1878, and although downy mildew did not have a major effect on American grapes, it had a great effect on the European grapes. By 1882, it had spread all over Europe, including Italy. Vineyard owners were distraught because this was their livelihood. In fact, the wine industry played a major economic role in this country and so this was an extremely big problem. In 1882, discovery of Bordeaux mixture, containing lime and copper sulfate used to prevent trespassers from stealing grapes, was found to be effective in controling the disease. However, when Professor Pierre Millardet discovered that it prevented the disease, use of the mixture spread throughout Europe and the wine industry was nearly destroyed because of overproduction and insufficient demand.

--Setoya Parker