History of wine: from ancient times to the present day
The privilege of being called the "birthplace of grape alcohol" is disputed by several countries: Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Abkhazia. The first findings indicating the presence of early winemaking were found in these ancient regions. They date back to the Neolithic era, namely to the VI millennium BC.е. э.
Disputes do not subside, the search continues, and more and more countries join the race for the championship.
Who's first
Currently, the title of "cradle of winemaking" is divided between several areas: Transcaucasia, Eastern Anatolia and the northern region of Mount Zagros.
Later finds in the form of wine presses and shards of ancient vessels date back to the V-II millennium BC.е. э. and belong to Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.
In one of the Chinese tombs, the oldest surviving wine was found, which was bottled in the XIV century BC.е., and then bottled. э.
Winemaking in ancient times
The Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans made the greatest contribution to the process of wine production.
The former actively distributed the drink in the Mediterranean region, North Africa, Sicily and Spain.
The Greeks and Romans, having taken over the baton, continued what they had started, significantly deepening and expanding Phoenician traditions.
The ancient Greeks turned wine drinking into a real art, experimenting with temperature, serving methods and adding unusual additives to the drink in the form of various spices and herbs.
The Greeks also invented aged wine: they were the first to try to extend the life of their favorite product.
It is interesting that drunkenness among the inhabitants of Ancient Greece was not encouraged (on the contrary, moderation was welcomed), to reduce the strength of the drink, it was diluted with water. Exceptions were feasts and holidays, when wine literally flowed like a river.
The Romans borrowed Greek traditions and gradually replaced the previously popular beer with a new drink that became universal and affordable.
Wine was consumed by everyone - from slaves to rulers. The inhabitants of the Roman Empire supplemented viticulture with useful improvements, for example, supports in the form of trellises (previously, trees were used for this purpose). Wine was also used as an offering to the gods.
The ancient Egyptians, unlike the Greeks and Romans, considered wine a precious drink.
The most significant were the vineyards of the pharaoh, although the ruler himself could not drink strong drink: it was forbidden.
Alcohol was deified and brought as an offering to earthly and heavenly patrons.
The art of winemaking was passed down to descendants in the form of records of recipes and vine cultivation techniques.
The ancient Egyptians knew at least 20 grape varieties.
From the Middle Ages to the present day
By the Middle Ages, grape plantations had spread to northern European, Asian and African regions. Drinks from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Portugal became the most popular.
During this period, winemaking developed in several directions:
Monasteries played an important role: they owned huge vineyards, bred new varieties and produced large batches of alcohol.
The main wine regions were formed in Europe, which formed the basis of the modern division into priority and less important areas in the field of wine production.
The cultivation and processing of vines were improved and achieved high results, while the grape drinks themselves were very mediocre.
Young wine was valued, as people had not yet learned to store alcohol for more than a year: they tried to sell stale products faster.
Grape drinks were available only to the upper classes and were considered a privilege of the aristocracy.
Alcohol, in particular wine, helped in the fight against infectious diseases, but not in the form of medicine, but as a substitute for contaminated water, which, when consumed, was often a source of infection.
Modern times brought many discoveries and inventions to the European wine industry.
A long process of improving drinks and finding ways to extend their "life" began.
Until the XVII century, aged wines were produced only in Mediterranean countries.
The new period was marked by several "brilliant finds":
Wines began to be bottled in glass bottles and corked. Before that, only wooden barrels were used.
Fortified drinks (madeira, port, sherry) appeared and quickly became popular.
Adding alcohol to wines made it possible to increase the shelf life and transport alcohol to other continents.
The quality composition of wines improved, new methods of production appeared (blending, flavoring with herbs, fruits, spices, etc.). д.), aged products began to be more appreciated.
In the XVII century, the first champagne was invented. In the XVIII century, many famous brands in the field of winemaking were formed.
The development of the New World territories as plantations for vineyards began.
In the XVI-XVIII centuries, European varieties appeared in Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, California and Australia.
The most difficult for European winemakers was the XIX century, when many vineyards were affected by phylloxera and fungal diseases. It took a lot of effort, money and time to restore them.
XX century of winemaking
Revival and active development of the wine industry in Europe.
Increased production of grape alcohol in the New World.
The decline of the wine industry in the Soviet Union, where huge vineyard plantations and many unique varieties were destroyed as part of the anti-alcohol campaign.
Update: 29.10.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth