The History of Wine

Wine has been produced and consumed for thousands of years, with the earliest signs of wine dating as far back as 5000BC. Wine has always been a part of many different cultures around the world. Numerous countries have played a part in making wine what it is today. Wine became a part of recorded history in Egypt, as it was used it in many ceremonies.

Learning more about the different wines available is easy, joining a wine club can help you to appreciate the history of wine. The thriving wine industry was created in Egypt following the cultivation of grapes. Originally wine was placed in unsealed earthen ware pots to ferment. The wine that was produced in Egypt was typically red, although white wine was consumed occasionally. There were many superstitions surrounding red wine in Egypt, some saying that it was far too similar to blood.

During the time of the Roman Empire, wine making skills advanced as wine became part of the daily diet. The wine growing regions grew rapidly and many of today’s Western Europe’s wine regions were established by the Romans. During this period more grape varieties were discovered and techniques and equipment were improved.

Terra cotta pots were replaced with glass bottles and many Roman villas had their own wine press. The wine was believed to have medicinal purposes and the upper classes would drink it on this basis. When the Romans travelled to conquer Europe, they took wine with them, introducing it to France and Spain, where high quality wines are now produced. As the Europeans colonized the Americas they introduced wine and the British did the same when they travelled to Australia.

In the Middle Ages in Europe wine was enjoyed in the areas where the wine was cultivated. Although the wine was exported to other areas, it was expensive and typically enjoyed by the upper classes. Due to the necessity of wine at Catholic Mass, it was crucial that a supply was available. The largest producers in France and Germany, therefore, were Benedictine monks. They produced enough excellent wine to ship all over Europe.

Wine is now enjoyed all over the world; it has become a drink of choice for social gatherings and events. Although wine history is very complex, it is also very interesting to learn how the wine you drink today came about. Joining a wine club enables you to experiment with wines that you may not have tried before.

If you enjoy wine then joining a wine club is ideal for you. You will begin to fully understand the history behind the wine that you are enjoying. If you are unsure of what wine to purchase, they are there to help and advise you. Wine should be enjoyed as well as respected, enhancing your cuisines and allowing you to sample the many different varieties. So, before opening a bottle tonight, think about the journey that your wine made to become the fantastic vintage it is today.

This article was written on behalf of Laithwaites. For more information see Wine red wine