Wine & Spirits Information

Who Made the First Wine Anyway?


Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around 6000 BC, grapes were being grown and wine was being made in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq).

Mesopotamia and EgyptWine was popular with the pharaohs of ancient Egypt from about 3000 BC onwards. Inscriptions and illustrations of grape harvesting and wine making have been found in a number of tombs.

Many temples had vineyards attached to them and it is thought that wine was used for religious ritual purposes. However, as is still true today, the majority of Egyptian wine was produced in the Nile delta area.

Wine was stored in clay jars, as wooden barrels were unknown to the ancient Egyptians.

GreeceThe exact date that winemaking started in Greece is unknown. However, the remains of a stone wine press, dating from around 1600BC, have been found at a villa in Crete. Wine consumption in ancient Greece had strong associations with the cult of the god, Dionysos. With the rise of Greek influence throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas, vines were introduced to areas as far apart as Spain, France, Italy and Georgia. It is believed that a number of traditional southern Italian grape varieties (e.g. Aglianico) were introduced by the Greeks.

Roman EmpireThe Romans continued the developments started by the Greeks. Wine was exported to all parts of the Roman Empire including France, Britain and the Rhineland area of Germany. Vineyards were also planted in many of these areas. The Romans documented different grape varieties and the types of soil that produced the highest yields. They also introduced wooden barrels and glass bottles to the wine trade, although these items didn't completely replace clay amphorae for wine storage.

During the Dark Ages, vineyards were maintained by the monasteries as a source of communion wine. These wine producers laid the foundations for much of today's modern wine industry throughout Europe.

Since Neil Best first pondered the question, Who made the first wine anyway? he's been recording his findings at Good Glug. This article forms part of the new and free Good Glug Wine Appreciation Mini Course. Visit now to get your copy.


MORE RESOURCES:

Parkway Wine & Spirits long time in the making
The Tennessean
BY TAYLOR LOYAL • SMYRNA AM • July 29, 2010 When Lee Nettles opened the doors to his Parkway Wine & Spirits store Wednesday, he'll be fulfilling a dream ...
Parkway Wine & Spirits long time in the makingThe Daily News Journal

all 2 news articles »


Pick 'n Save opens today
Sheboygan Press
... deli, floral department, drive-thru pharmacy, wine, spirits and several self-checkouts. It also includes more fresh foods and organic choices.

and more »


Bucks Local News

Monica Yant Kinney: Behind an upscale look, same old PLCB
Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania's inaugural Fine Wine & Good Spirits store is Restoration Hardware meets Barnes & Noble, with a pinch of Whole Foods' ...
Wine & Spirits Store prototype goes down smoothAllentown Morning Call
Wine and Spirits Store prototype goes down smooth: Officials tout new design ...istockAnalyst.com (press release)

all 44 news articles »


Throw a great party with affordable wines
Arizona Republic
It was easy being a wine snob when cheap bottles tasted like strawberry pop or grape juice gone south. ...

and more »


Futures Lower as Economic Growth Slowed. Stocks to Watch: CL, FO, MRK, MET ...
TradersHuddle.com
Fortune Brands (NYSE:FO), the holding company that offers a broad variety of wine, spirits, and golf products, beat beats analysts' expectation on revenues ...

and more »


Earnings Preview: Fortune Brands
TradersHuddle.com
Fortune Brands, the holding company that offers a broad variety of wine, spirits, and golf products is expected to release its quarterly results on July 30 ...

and more »


Attendees get sampling of Palestine fare
Palestine Herald Press
Wine/Spirits: 1. Sweet Dreams Winery; 2. Granny Muffin Wines; 3. Texas Vineyard & Smokehaus. Bakeries/Delicacies: 1. Brookshire's Bakery; 2. ...



Chicago Press Release Services (press release)

Owens-Illinois Misses by a Penny
Chicago Press Release Services (press release)
Perrysburg, Ohio-based Owens-Illinois is the world's largest glass container manufacturer for food and beverage products, including beer, wine, spirits and ...

and more »


Constellation Introduces New Flavor In Wine With Fruit Category
Drinks Business Review
... a division of Constellation Brands, an international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol in the wine, spirits and imported beer categories.



Liquor Control Board Customer Service In Doubt
WGAL Lancaster
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY, Pa. -- A year after the state Liquor Control Board spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on customer service training, ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006