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Two multidisciplinary conferences have been previously organized by UNESCO Chair “Culture and Wine Traditions” of the University of Burgundy initiated by Pr. Norbert Latruffe: one in Beaune (Burgundy), in 2008 on “Wine and Health” and the other, in 2016, in Hyères (Provence), “Wine, nutrition, health”. Both, have shown the richness and the large diversity of viticultural, enological and nutritional practices according to the geographic area’s cultural heritage transmitted through history.
The present multidisciplinary international conference on “Vine, wine, food and health” will take place in Heraklion, Crete, Greece from May 23 to May 26, 2018 (opening on May, 22 in the afternoon) with the aim to put in perspective the cultural, technical, economic, environmental and health-related aspects of the vitiviniculture and the diet of European countries, with a focus to the Mediterranean area. One of the major goals of the Conference is to illustrate the diversity of cultural, vitivinicole and nutritional practices linked to the traditions and the identity of different countries.
The Mediterranean diet is on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010 and it is known for its beneficial effects on health and longevity. Crete, with its multimillennial tradition of vine, wine and local cuisine rich in fruits, vegetables, oil olive, and limited meat consumption is the cradle of Cretan diet. Located at the heart of the Mediterranean civilization is the pertinent place to host the international multidisciplinary conference “Vine, wine, food, and health”.
This international and multidisciplinary conference is organized by the UNESCO Chair “Culture and Wine Traditions” of the University of Bourgogne and the University of Crete, in partnership with the Region of Crete, the City of Heraklion, the National Federation of Greek Wines (EDOAO), the Mediterranean Diet and Health Association (NMS), the Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Dimitra (ELGO-DIMITRA) and the Center for Research and Studies in Humanities, Social Sciences & Pedagogies (CRS) of the University of Crete.
The program will include technical visits in wineries and vineyards, and olive tree fields, as well as a trip to discover the archaeological, historical and landscape richness of the island of Crete.
International scholars from numerous disciplines related to the vine, wine, and nutrition, mainly of the Mediterranean, will address –through specific geographic examples—the Conference themes.
