Wine Making History

For many thousands of years, grapes have been grown and wine has been produced and enjoyed by people from different walks of life. However, the exact origin of wine is uncertain as four ancient civilizations all have their claim to fame for making the very first wine.

Mesopotamia
The first known people to cultivate grapes were the Mesopotamians and hence, wine production has been attributed to them. It is believed that as far back as 6000BC the Mesopotamians have been growing and fermenting grapes for their own consumption, although, no concrete records have been found so far.

Egypt
Although the Egyptians may not be the first to grow wine, they were the first to record the process of wine production as evidenced by inscriptions found on stone tablets and tombs of pharaohs. For them, wine was considered a measure of one’s social status and therefore great importance was given to its production and consumption. Temples even had vineyards attached to them and so it is thought that wine was also used for religious rituals and practices.

Wine was stored in clay jars as wooden barrels were still unknown to the ancient Egyptians back then. Majority of wine in Egypt however are produced in the Nile delta area and it remains true even up to this day.

Greece
It is unknown as to when the exact date of making wine started in Greece. The remains however, of a wine press found at a villa in Crete dates back from around 1600BC. The production and consumption of wine in Greece during the ancient times had always been connected to the cult of Dionysus, the god of wine.

The rise of Greek influence throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas made possible the introduction of vines to places such as Spain, France, Italy and Georgia. A number of traditional grape varieties found in southern Italy are actually believed to have been introduced by the Greeks.

Roman Empire
It was during the time of the Roman Empire that wine making spread throughout Europe. At this time, wine had become available even to the common citizens and cities started to thrive with bars.

The Romans continued the developments that the Greeks started. All parts of the Roman Empire including France, Britain and the Rhineland area of Germany were involved in making wine. Vineyards as well were planted in most of these areas which enabled the Romans to document different grape varieties and the types of soil that produce the highest yields. They also introduced the use of wooden barrels and glass bottles to the wine trade. These items however, did not completely replace the use of clay amphorae for wine storage at the time.

All four civilizations had their distinct contribution to the history of wine making, and the whole world is in their debt for bringing us wine. Perhaps, it really doesn’t matter as who really started it all, because just like an exquisite bottle of wine it’s meant to be shared with others.