The origin of wine: a thousand-year-old story

Wine, a symbol of conviviality and refinement, has accompanied humanity for millennia. Its history is closely linked to that of great civilizations and their evolution. From the domestication of the first wild vines to today's great wine-growing regions, wine has spanned the ages, influencing the beliefs, traditions, and economies of peoples. 

ANCIENT ROOTS: THE FIRST TRACES OF WINE

The history of wine dates back thousands of years, long before the rise of great civilizations. The first accidental winemaking probably took place in regions where wild grape clusters existed at the same time as a settlement. 

Additionally, research conducted in Georgia, in the Caucasus region, has unearthed terracotta jars containing traces of wine that are more than 8,000 years old. These discoveries prove that this region is one of the cradles of viticulture. 

At that time, the climate in Georgia was similar to that of today's major wine-growing regions such as France and Italy, which favored the cultivation of vines. Wine was not just a beverage: it played a central role in society, being used for religious rituals, social celebrations, and even medicinal purposes. 

THE EXPANSION OF WINE IN ANTIQUITY

Wine gradually spread over the centuries and became an essential element in the culture of several ancient civilizations. 

·      Around 6000 BC: The first cultivated vines appear in the Caucasus and Mesopotamia. 

·      Around 3000 BC: Viticulture is established in Egypt and Phoenicia. At this time, wine is a luxury product, reserved for rulers and elites. It is often mixed with honey, spices, or fruit to enhance its taste. 

·      Around 2000 BC: The Egyptians passed on their winemaking expertise to the Greeks, who developed their own winemaking tradition. Wine became a central element of Greek agriculture and a powerful cultural symbol. It was notably associated with Dionysus, the god of wine and celebrations. 

·      Around 1000 BC: The vine is introduced to Italy, Sicily and North Africa, marking the beginning of viticulture in Roman lands. 

·      Between 1000 and 500 BC: Viticulture spread to Spain, Portugal and southern France under the influence of the Greeks and Phoenicians. 

Wine is not just a beverage; it is a true social and cultural marker. Among the Greeks, it was consumed at banquets, where it was diluted with water and flavored with herbs and spices. Unlike the so-called "barbarian" peoples who drank it neat, the Greeks considered this ritual a sign of refinement and moderation. 

THE ROMAN EMPIRE: THE GOLDEN AGE OF WINE

The Roman Empire played a key role in the spread of wine across Europe. The Romans perfected winemaking techniques and developed a veritable wine trade. Thanks to their vast network of roads, they established vines in regions previously unexplored for viticulture, particularly in Gaul, Germania, and Great Britain. 

Wine occupied a central place in Roman daily life, both for its festive and religious uses. It was also considered a medicinal remedy, recommended by Hippocrates himself for its antiseptic and digestive properties. 

The Romans favored light-colored wines, as winemaking at the time relied primarily on unmacerated black grapes. The wine was stored in amphorae and transported throughout the empire, marking the beginnings of the international wine trade. 

THE MIDDLE AGES: WINE AT THE HEART OF SOCIETY 

In the Middle Ages, wine became an essential part of everyday life. Since water was often contaminated, people preferred to consume wine, which was considered safer. It was consumed in large quantities, sometimes up to 3 liters per day per person. 

Monasteries played a major role in preserving and improving winemaking techniques. Monks, particularly in France, Germany, and Italy, experimented with new cultivation and fermentation methods. With the invention of the printing press, this knowledge was documented and disseminated, allowing for greater mastery of winemaking processes. 

Wine also has medicinal uses: it is used as a disinfectant to clean wounds and as a remedy for certain illnesses. In cooking, it is an essential ingredient, used in the composition of many broths and sauces. 

THE MODERN AGE AND THE GLOBAL EXPANSION OF WINE 

With the Renaissance, viticulture experienced a new boom. Techniques improved, grape varieties diversified, and the quality of wine improved. Major maritime powers such as Spain, Portugal, and France introduced vine cultivation to their colonies, particularly in South America, South Africa, and Australia. 

In the 17th century, the invention of the glass bottle and the cork stopper revolutionized wine conservation, allowing optimal aging and the emergence of great wines.

The 19th century was marked by a major crisis: the invasion of phylloxera, a devastating insect that destroyed many vineyards in Europe. Thanks to solutions such as grafting onto American vines, viticulture was saved and experienced a revival. 

WINE TODAY: BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY

Today, wine is produced all over the world, from the historic vineyards of Europe to the new wine regions of America, Australia, and South Africa. Viticulture has been modernized thanks to scientific advances, allowing for better management of soils, climate, and grape varieties. 

Natural, organic, and biodynamic wines are enjoying growing popularity, reflecting a return to environmentally friendly practices. Moreover, wine culture continues to fascinate, with traditions and terroirs that perpetuate age-old expertise. 

A UNIVERSAL AND TIMELESS HERITAGE 

From the first wine jars of the Caucasus to the prestigious cellars of Bordeaux, wine has shaped the history and identity of peoples. It is much more than a simple beverage: it reflects the civilizations that have shaped and transmitted it. With each sip, it tells a story, that of ancestral know-how and a passion that spans the ages.