Wine the name itself feels like a luxury which is a concoction of the heartiest and fruitest grapes that are fermented to form a scintillating and tantalising sip that feels like heaven on the tongue. What is more fascinating than its rich and flavourful taste is its history, dating back almost 13,000 years ago, though its origin is still debated among historians.
Some studies claim that there is some evidence that the Neolithic man was the earliest wine drinker, as some researchers found the same chemicals on Neolithic tools used by the caveman as they had fermented fruits. Most historians conclude, though, that winemaking was the brainchild of people in Georgia, which dates back 8,000 years, as they found heaps of wine in the digging pits. It can be noted that this practice involved placing grapes in pits through winter and then digging them up again in spring so that they got this fermented paradise. Over time, these pits became replaced by large clay vessels, which can now be said to be the first wine barrels, which were more hygienic and effective.
The Art of Viticulture
The cultivation of winemaking is known as viticulture, which falls under the belt of the ancient Georgian people, who became worldwide traders with wine reaching neighbouring countries. Around 5000 BCE, countries like Armenia, Iran, and Greece had their own winemaking scene that was concocted with their native grape varieties, giving the wine a distinct flavour that resonated with the ripeness of the place where it was produced. These grapes are still grown and savoured in these rich agricultural areas, which is a sip of the past. Now, the Armenian people who experimented with viticulture started their own unique practice, which involved clay pots and a whole lot of patience. Around 4100 BCE, the Armenians invented the first winery, which was uncovered by archaeologists and included a working winery filled with grape presses, fermentation vats, cups and glasses.
The Bronze Age
About 5000 years back, with the world acknowledging and accepting wine, Armenians were in another league of their own, with carvings found in Persepolis depicting them presenting wines to Kings. It can be noted that earlier wines used to be red in ancient times, although some white wines can be found in Ancient Egypt, such as in the tomb of Tutankhamun, which holds clay vessels containing traces of white wine. This was believed to be a concoction fit for pharaohs to be taken on the journey to the afterlife.
Phoenicians, who were influenced by the Egyptians, brought wine to Greece, which quickly trickled down to Italy. The mediterranean area of these two lands was the perfect condition for the most delicious wines with their rich soil quality and a pleasant weather condition. This made the country being named as ‘Oenotria’ – the land of wines. Wines were all the rage in Italy, so much so that they became a mode of payment for the military, and with the spread of the Roman empire, grapes were planted in North Africa, Germany and Wales.
New Times
As the Roman Empire fell and the Dark Ages sprung to light, little can be known about wine during that time, but in the Medieval times, many vineyards were born, and its various varieties were explored, like champagne, sparkling wines and more. More sophisticated and man-made practices saw importance, and more techniques were formed.
Wine reached South Africa in the 17th Century, and South America saw an inflow of wine as well due to the Spanish conquests. Subsequently, throughout the world, it became a sought-after beverage. Even with the two World Wars, wine continued to grow, and its popularity did not seem to dwindle. In the last 100 or 50 years, the wine business has flourished, with people appreciating wine even more. Its future looks bright, and many people are investing in this lucrative business.
