The History of Wine

28 September 2012

The History of Wine

Wine production soon came into play when the cultivation of grapes became more and more common. During ancient times, wild grapes were shown by the ancient cave drawings of grape seeds and other drawings. Grapes were used extensively to many different uses within society during these times, which has continued on for thousands of years and continues on even today.

Grapes were turned into wine, and was served and consumed for various reasons, including; stimulating courage, sealing pacts, celebrations for religion and rituals and for seduction. Grapes were first known to have been grown domestically in Southern Caucasus and the Near East, especially in the Fertile Crescent area. Early historical records show the presence of wine growing and production ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, whereby the first source of wine production was discovered in Iran during 6000 to 5000BC. The Egyptians began to use wine as part of ceremonies, celebrations and rituals. They Egyptians produced white wine from Muscat grapes which grew abundantly in Alexandria. To extract the juice from grapes, they compiled hundred and thousands of them, before stamping on them with their feet, and then allowed it to ferment in large vats.

Wine making shortly spread too many other countries, including those of Europe. Wine production rose in Italy, Greece, France, Germany and many others, especially amongst the Romans and the Celts, who have been historically known to dominate the regions in the past.

During the glory of the Roman Empire, wine was served on special occasions, with it being considered as a special drink. It was in the Middle Ages when wine making boomed, with it becoming a popular skill and trade, whereby new technologies for wine production process came into action. The wine press and use of barrels and other equipment prompted many people to get into the winery industry, as it proved to be a very popular drink and in high demand. It was in Medieval Europe where the Roman Catholics begun using wine in their masses, with celebrations of religion and rituals became active. Through this development, various different people were trying out new methods and flavours of wine, with many new types becoming popular. This lead to a vast improvement in wine production, whereby France soon became leaders gaining the reputation of being the best wine producing region in the world. (To this day French wine is still one of the most popular wines in the world).

On the other side of the globe, the advocates of Islam, through to Geber and other Muslim countries, was the increased use of wine for medical reasons. Nowadays, scientifically studies have shown that what these Muslim chemists were doing may have worked, as wine has been proven as a health benefit in various different cases.

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28 September 2012

The History of Wine