Although some academics agree the Greeks were central to founding Europe's wine trade, others argue the Etruscans or even the later Romans were the ones responsible for bringing viticulture to France.
Dr Pratten a radiologist was a pioneer of the Geographe region and a pioneer of viticulture.
It was the Phoenicians who first discovered that the long summers, wet winters and warm temperature made this huge green plateau bordered by mountains perfect for viticulture.
His study appears to dispel the theory that it was the Romans who were responsible for bringing viticulture to France.
