Wine Making & Beer Brewing - Wine Making and Beer Brewing Information

History of Wine Making

It remains to be unknown where wine originally came from. However, scholars point out that wine making started about as early as 5,000 years ago. It is widely regarded as one of the earliest agricultural commodities and remains highly popular at present times.

Wine making involves the fermentation of grape juice obtained from crushing the fruit. Yeast is used as an aid to turn the liquid into alcohol and the quality and types of wine produce depends on the varieties of grapes and yeasts used.

Experts suggest that wine making could have originated earlier than the Greek and Egyptian civilizations. Evidence shows that the fermentation of grapes occurred in the likes of Georgia, Iran, and Israel around 6,000 BC at the earliest. As agriculture, civilization, and cuisine progressed, so did the technology of wine production.

Egypt

One of the earliest evidences of wine making is found among ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and artifacts. The Egyptians worshipped Osiris as the Lord of the Vine in Flower. His power to rise from the ashes is likened to inherent ability of grape plants to continue growing despite seeming like dead plants.

The Egyptians are believed to have cultivated grape plants along the Nile River. They are believed to have yielded both white and red wine of the sweet variety. The grapes were collected into plaited baskets before they are manually crushed by feet. The grape juices were stored in earthenware where they are fermented then siphoned off. Early drawings showed the Egyptians’ skills and cunning in wine making.

Greece

Ancient Greece also actively engaged in wine making, with Thrace as the most popular wine producer. Wine was considered a vital commodity at the time and is very highly priced at the time. Early Greek literary pieces, such as the Odysseus, often mentioned wine. Greek women enjoyed wine contrary to their Roman counterparts, who were not allowed wine over fear that it makes them more likely to commit adultery.

Vineyards were not separated from crops until between the eighth and sixth centuries B.C, when wine makers started clearing woodlands to make way for vineyards. Virgil once noted that the types of wine produced by the Greeks surpassed the number of sands on the seashore.

Rome

Romans are very fond of wine and are known to have taken after the Greeks in their wine making. Roman emperors and high officials drank wine for dinner. Romans are known to have their wines either pure or watered, the latter being popular among the lower classes.

The Roman Empire perfected the wine press and contributed much to the discovery, cultivation, and processing of several grape varieties. Their conquest of the Greeks is the reason why their wine making was Hellenic of nature.

Medieval Europe

The Romans and the Greeks had been instrumental spreading the art of wine making to many parts of Europe. The Medieval Catholic church used wine to hold Mass. France, as we know, is presently recognized as one of the world’s greatest wine producers.