Thu August 7th 2008

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The Development of Wine and the Western World

Throughout time, wine has had a special influence on Western culture. Thucydides, historian of ancient Greece, noted that "the people of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learnt to cultivate the olive and the vine." In effect, cultivating grapes for the production of wine altered the course of our history.

The cultivation of grapes and the production of wine is a practice that exists throughout the world. From France to the cool Hunter Valley of Australia, wine is produced and enjoyed by many. Few regions of the world remain untouched by the many virtues of wine. One could even say that wine unites us.

In today's modern world, wine is widely discussed and consumed globally. With modern transportation innovations, wine lovers in Japan can enjoy the best French wines and those in Russia can enjoy New World Chilean wines. Previously, vinophiles were limited, for the most part, to the wines in their own region.

The wine industry has undergone a massive boom in the last few decades resulting in many varieties of wine from which to choose. This boom should continue into the near future as we learn more about wine, wine making and its health benefits.

The Impact of Wine
Indeed, from its earliest development, wine has had a special place in our customs, diet and social gatherings. Religions around the world have used and continue to include wine in sacred ceremonies.

Similarly, many extinct and modern cultures have used wine in their cultural celebrations. Some even feature festivals devoted specifically to this beverage. Rituals commemorate the wine making process from harvesting the grapes to uncorking the final product.

Whether wine is used to bring together family and friends at a private party or is served at a cultural ceremony to unite the past a present, this beverage has certainly had a tremendous impact on how we commemorate our memories and celebrate our lives! 

A Timeline of Wine
Did you know that the Mesopotamians were the first people to cultivate wine? Since 6000 BC., the methods of producing wine and harvesting grapes have come a long way. Throughout the centuries, the ancient Greeks and Romans not only popularized wine consumption but they also invoked it in many religious rites.

Later, during the Dark Ages, Christian monks produced wine in their monasteries, sustaining and refining the process. Today, wine manufacturers all over the world have unique practices that give each variety its own distinct flair.

The Popularity of Wine
Because ancient cultures had a difficult time making wine, this beverage was once only available to the most elite. However, as wine became more accessible, it began to infiltrate many social arenas, including religious ceremonies, cultural celebrations and even funeral commemorations.

As the popularity of wine grew, wine manufacturers began to flavor their wines with unique spices, such as garlic, vinegar and seawater.

The History of Spanish and English Sparkling Wines
Few people know that a beverage can only be called “champagne” if it is made in the Champagne region of France (from Champagne grapes). However, sparkling white wine, similar in texture to champagne, has been made in a number of different regions worldwide. In fact, as early as the 17th century, champagne faced a few rivals. Both the English and Spanish learned the fermentation process and added different sugars to white wine to create their own versions of sparkling white wines.

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