Facts about Wine’s History

 

7 Mind-Blowing Facts about Wine’s History

Wine has an ancient and fascinating history behind, making the drink more aged and multifaceted.  Gaining knowledge about wine is very tough and time-taking. To become a wine connoisseur, they do thorough research work for many years.

An alcoholic beverage – Wine is made from grapes mainly. In scientific terms, these grapes are Vitis vinifera, which, after fermentation and with no added acids, water, sugars, enzymes, and additional nutrients, the wineries produce the final product. History says around 6000 years ago, the discovery of wine took place in the Middle East. Iran discovered the initial leftovers of wine during the Neolithic period (8500-4000 B.C.). And Georgia started vine farming, from 7000 through 5000 B.C.

But there are many unknown and mind-blowing facts concerning wine that many of us are still unaware of. And now, it is the right time to refine your know-how about wine. Read the seven mind-blowing facts about wine’s history and be a wine expert.

Wine and China Connection:

Chinese ranks as the largest consumers of red wine globally. In 2013, they broke the record of France, by consuming approximately 155 million 9-liter cases of red wine! It resulted in a steep fall in the percentage of French wine consumption by 18 % to 150 million cases. The most significant factor leading to the increase of red wine’s popularity in China owes to the color red! The Chinese population takes this red color, an auspicious one. So, the Chinese purchase more wines from the stores by their improvement of health and prosperity.

Apart from China, any guess-work on the largest consumer of wine consumers in the entire globe? Italy ranks as the biggest producer of wine globally, but the Italians are still ranking in number four, right after France and Portugal. In the U.S., the leading wine consumers are California, New York, followed by Florida.

 

Monastic wine

The Cistercians and Benedictines, the then ‘Monastic orders’, had the privilege of preserving and innovating the fine art of wine-making. It dated back to the Middle Ages. All praises to their excellent research work and untiring efforts that we are lucky to have the intricate technology of wine-making, these days. One of the world’s most famous sparkling wines – Champagne.  Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Perignon (1638-1715) invented the same and named it Perignon. He was the early supporter of wine-making organically and performed various experiments applying varied means to improvise the process of the wine-making. Till date, most of the wineries use his techniques while manufacturing this ‘bubbling beverage.’

Wine museum in France

During the medieval era, the hospitals and universities in France made a considerable profit financially by using only wine! It was the only medieval institutions ranking apart from the cathedrals and monasteries, where consuming wine was legal, and believed to be religious. Presently, the Hospices de Beaune is one of France’s most prominent ancient memorials. It was earlier one of the well-known wine endowing hospitals, having around 60 hectares of wine estates and manufacturing France’s high-status wines. Every year, in November, auctions take place on the third Sunday. Till today, their vineyards are best known as ‘Burgundy’s gems.’

Location or Grape types for wine names

Did you know that the place or grape name, coins the name of the European wines? A very common, yet famous instance is the Bordeaux wine, and France’s Bordeaux region started producing this sparkling drink. Cabernet Sauvignon makes the Bordeaux wines, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and a little bit of Carmenere and Malbec. The Non-European name their wines after the grape names, which is also called ‘the varietal.’ Namely,  Cabernet Sauvignon is the name of the grapes from California. These grapes fall under the category of international full-bodies varieties, used for making red wines.  

Wine grafting

A fascinating fact about the globally-acclaimed wine industry dates back to 1890-1900. And the fact turned interesting owing to a mite named Phylloxera vastatrix. The primary food source of this tiny mite is the vine roots. They started spreading rapidly when a handful of vine-cuttings were transported to Europe from the New World. These vine roots were the primary source of the creation of ‘vital sap’ or Vitus vinifera (wine-producing vines). Later, a lot of research saved the European grapevines, with the help of the grafting of the Native American vines to the European root-stocks.  It helped develop immunity over this plague while assisting in the recovery of the infected vine.  

World’s antique wine

The oldest wine in the world dates back to A.D. 325. It was found somewhere in the town of Speyer, Germany, and was kept inside one of two Roman sarcophaguses. Today, Speyer’s Historisches Museum der Pfalz displays the old wine with pride.

The world’s oldest liquid grape vine offers a view inside viticulture’s cultural history and tells about the consumption of wine over the last 2000 years. Apart from the wine bottle, the room has vast wine-presses, wine-casks, and old bottling tools used by the vintners during that time.  

Wine etiquettes  

When serving wine, use a glass with a thin and curved rim. The curve is at the top, which helps keep the essence of wine intact inside the glass. So, the more delicate edge depends upon how thin the wine glass is. It would be best if you held your wine glass by the ‘stem’ and not by the ‘bowl’ while enjoying your wine. There are ways of holding wine glasses. It is because your hand’s temperature initiates a rise in the wine’s temperature! So, to give your wine some twist, try out the ‘Whiskey and Wine cocktail.’ It is a right mix of sparkling red wine, Dalmore whiskey, and lemon bits along with a dash of syrup. If you are a red wine and whiskey enthusiast, you should try this cocktail at home. It will be an instant success. 

Final verdict

Wine is a sophisticated drink and takes ages to reach the level of perfection. But still, it is one drink, ruling the alcohol industry for the past thousands of years. A wine bottle comes full of the goodness of flavor, aroma, health, and also some bit of historical and scientific facts. Some stand the common ones, while some are not heard of. After reading the seven mind-blowing facts about wine’s history, toast your glass, full of knowledge and happiness.

With nearly 5 years of experience in wine marketing, 
Harold Camaya is considered a thought leader in digital marketing of luxury wines. 
From writing, event planning and public relations to videography and digital media,
He continues to diversify his skills with changing trends and technologies. On his off days,
He likes to spend his time at the nearest animal shelter, lift weights or be nose deep in a novel.