You can’t deny that wine is special regardless of whether you’re a history buff. Looking back at how the whole thing began can inspire your mind and help put things in the proper perspective. The connection between the first wine grape around the globe and the current bottle of wine adds depth and allows you to take in the wine with more appreciation.
We will be taking you on a trip through wine’s history, beginning with its first ancestors (hint that it’s not France), to how different cultures have utilized it throughout history.
What year and where did Winemaking Start?
There’s no doubt that France, Italy, and Spain are synonymous with winemaking and wine culture. It’s France that lays claim to the most famous appellations of wine (a.k.a. Bordeaux The “wine capital” of the world, is an example of these regions. France is also home to the most well-known wines and varietals on the planet Think Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Champagne, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
The history of wine does not start with French wine, or Italian or Spanish wine. The archaeological evidence suggests that wine was first produced in China about 7000 B.C., followed by Armenia and Georgia between 6100 and 6000 B.C., respectively.
Researchers have discovered the oldest winery in the world (and it is also the oldest shoe ever made!) in Armenia. Evidence of winemaking in the Middle East of the past, Egypt, Israel and Greece is also available. There’s a lot more to wine than you believe.
Ancient World Wine vs. Old World Wine vs. New World Wine
In discussing the background of wine, it’s beneficial to be aware of a few words — specifically “Ancient World” wines, “Old World” wines as well as “New World” wines. These terms are more about geography than anything else.
Ancient World Wine
The most well-known wine regions of today do not come from the same place that wine originated, as we have already mentioned. These ancient wine regions — China, Armenia and Iran and Egypt — were the first regions where winemakers from the world came up with methods of making alcohol from grape juice.
Old World Wine
The Old World is made of wines grown in the traditional regions of Europe and the Mediterranean and Middle East. This is the place where viniculture (wine-growing) was first beginning to flourish. The Old World wine production is made using the common grapevine, also commonly referred to as Vitis vinifera. This grape is native to the Mediterranean region.
New World Wine
New World wine comes from just about any other region that’s not considered to be ancient or old. New World wine regions include Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Also, there are some wine regions in the United States. The most well-known wine-producing states include Washington, Oregon, California.
Old World wine production also utilizes the Vitis vinifera grapevine, but different adaptations have been developed to assist it thrive in these varying climates.
Timeline of the history of wine
It doesn’t matter whether it was many thousands of years ago or a few days in the past. The story of every wine begins with grapes being picked, pressed and fermented. The process of fermentation is the most important part, as this is what transforms the crushed grapes (or grape juice) into wine.
We’re not able of describing every discovery or development that has occurred of wine’s long and rich time. However, we can highlight some of the greatest successes. Here’s a quick overview of the world’s wine travels and the different ways that cultures have made it and consumed it through the centuries.
7000 B.C.
Dr. Patrick McGovern is a leading wine scientist and Anthropologist. He claims that the first chemically validated alcoholic beverage, including wine, was discovered at Jiahu in the Henan Province in China.
Clay jars from the Early Neolithic Period were used to create and store the fermented beverage made from wild grapes (including Vitis amurensis and Vitis Thunbergii grape varieties), rice, honey, and hawthorn fruit. McGovern and his team discovered that the fact that sugary fruits were stored with yeast on its skins inside these vessels shows the process of fermentation that took place in the liquid.
It isn’t known if the grapes were consumed alone or in conjunction with other fruit. Whatever the reason there is evidence to suggest that these alcoholic beverages were consumed during funerals and other religious celebrations.
6100 B.C.
In the year 2016, a team of researchers uncovered the oldest winery in the world in the cave that is located in the mountains of Armenia. One of the many discoveries found in the cave included a cup and drinking vessel, a grape press, and fermentation containers. The cave also revealed that the grapes used in making wine were Vitis vinifera. This is the same kind of grape used in many wine today. As such, researchers deduce that the final product would likely be similar to unfiltered red wine, which tastes similar to Merlot.
Although the first wine-drinking was in China, this discovery marks the start of the wine industry. The experts believe that Armenian wine was used in burial ceremonies because of its significance in the past as a cemetery.
3100 B.C.
The ancient Egypt began making wine as a precursor from red grapes. Amphoras were clay jars that had a narrow neck and two handles. This was the way ancient wine was stored.
Modern-day Egypt is not well-known for its wine production but it has a long background of winemaking and drinking. Ancient tomb walls depict people collecting grapes, squashing them, and putting them in amphoras for fermentation.
Red wine was akin to blood. Ancient Egyptians believed that it was connected to Osiris, the god who breathed life and also other beliefs. Evidence from archaeology suggests that wine from the past was used in various rituals (including burials) as well as for medicinal reasons.
Although red wine was by far the most popular kind of wine made in this region, the amphoras discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun provide the first evidence of white wine being produced in Egypt.
1200 B.C.-539 B.C.
The Phoenicians are the ones responsible for establishing the wine trade, moving this increasingly popular beverage (and even grapevines) across the Mediterranean, including Greece, Italy, and regions across the modern day Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and Syria.
In their travels, the Phoenicians came into contact with Jewish people, who began making use of wine in religious ceremonies. The Bible mentions wine for the first time in Genesis. This is when Noah consumes it following his Great Flood.
800 B.C.
Thanks to the Phoenicians, the ancient Greeks began drinking wine and making use of it as a symbol of religion, trade, and health. Wine was so adored in Ancient Greece that they even named a god after it: Dionysus. The grapes were first crushed in wicker baskets, before being placed in pithoi, huge earthenware jars that resemble similar to Egyptian amphoras. The jars were where the fermentation occurred.
As the Greek city-states began spreading across the Mediterranean as did the production of wine. Much like the Phoenicians Greeks were able to transport grapevines. They introduced Vitis vinifera grapes to other colonies, such as Sicily. They eventually traveled to Rome.
200 B.C.-100 B.C.
The Romans, imitating the Greeks invented their own god of wine, namely Bacchus. It’s from this that we get the term “bacchanalian” meaning drunken revelry.
The Romans refined the Greek’s method of viniculture employing barrels and other methods that helped them produce more at a quicker pace and with less expense. Roman wine production employed a torculum (wine pressing) to crush grapes and then separated the juice from the skins by using the colander device. The juice was often heated before fermentation in amphoras that were buried in sand, dirt or even in water.
The consumption of wine was an integral part of life for Romans and, unlike the pharaohs of Egypt, this “drink of the gods” was accessible to people of all income levels. That said, a wide variety of lower-quality wines were popular among the massesfor example, mustum (mixed with vinegar) as well as the mulsum (sweetened by honey), and the lora (bitter wine made from leftover grape components after pressing) to name just some.
The Roman empire grew across Europe, they planted grapevines in European countries including modern-day France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Portugal.
A.D. 306-380
Beginning with the reign of Constantine the Great (A.D. 306-337) The Catholic Church as well as Christianity were the most dominant religion of the Roman Empire. The wine was also an integral part of the religious ceremonies, particularly during the sacrament Eucharist, also known as communion. In Catholic services, this ritual is a way to commemorate the last supper of Jesus Christ and his apostles, with the wine representing the blood of Jesus.
The practice of using wine — or at least the symbolism of wine is still very much an integral part of the various churches across the Christian faith. Although grape juice can be used in place of wine for wine, it’s not a common substitute. This is yet another illustration of the lasting impact wine has on the world, not only for social pleasure, but also to help in spiritual practices.
1492-1600s
We all know the old phrase: “In 1492 Columbus sailed through the blue ocean.” Christopher Columbus and his four crew embarked on a voyage from Spain to discover the Americas during their first voyage. Although his “discovery” of the New World was anything but however, it was the beginning of a new era of exploration (and colonization) of North and South America.
Transatlantic travels saw Spanish conquistadors invade Mexico and Brazil in the 16th century. They brought along European cultivation of grapes. At this time the wine industry spread throughout South America.
Spanish missionaries started Chile’s first winery (not surprising considering wine was an important part of the Catholic Church of the time). They also visited Argentina where they set up the first wineries in Mendoza.
1769-1830s
The 18th century’s late Spanish missionary Junipero Serra visited San Diego, California where he established California’s first mission. As the friar and his companions established missions throughout and down the state and continued to plant the Mission grape, which was a cultivar of Vitis vinifera from Spain.
Four types of wine were made using this grape A sweet white wine that fermented the juice without the skins; a dry and sweet red wine created through the fermentation of juice and leaving the skins still on; and a sweet fortified wine.
Spanish colonizers founded Sonoma’s first winery, in 1805. The Mission grape was the only grape variety that could be grown in California up to the 1830s. Other European settlers also added several European grape varieties to their vineyards after that.
1830s
James Busby, a Scottish-born, British raised, Australian-based writer and viticulturist, started a new era in winegrowing in Oceania. Through extensive research and cross-continental travel between Australia, Europe, and Asia, he gathered grapevine cuttings from Europe to establish vineyards across Australia.
He eventually took some of the cuttings from Australia and brought them to New Zealand and established New Zealand’s first vineyard in 1836. Around 200 years later, descendants of his cuttings are still thriving in the vineyards of Australia and New Zealand. It’s not surprising that he’s believed to be the founder of Australia’s wine industry.
1980s to Today
In a complete circle, we’ll conclude our walk through the history of wine and return where we started: China. China was one of the largest consumers and wine producers worldwide as the Chinese economy began to boom in late 1980s. Rice wine is the most consumed alcohol beverage in China, as a tribute to its historical roots. However the grape wine has gained popularity and is now the most sought-after.
But overall production of wine in China has dropped significantly in recent years. There’s no explanation for as to why this has happened however some experts believe that the decline could be due to unfavorable growing conditions, declining interest in local-produced wine, or the influx of imports from more well-known wine regions.
No matter how long this tale goes on wine will always remain on the table. Antarctica is the only continent in which there are no vineyards.
Your Wine Tells A Story
Understanding the past of wine’s production and use will help you appreciate wine. It’s more than just wine made from grapes. It’s an experience in the past that you will be able to enjoy each moment you drink.
