You might be surprised to learn that wine is something that connects many cultures around the world. It has been used in religious and cultural rituals, as well as celebrations of all kinds. Many people all over the world also drink it for its intoxicating effects, which is a practice that persists to this day. Food and wine are also some of the best ways to experience other cultures. The wines and foods that are important to a particular culture tell us a lot about its history if we know where to look.
THe history of wine making is extremely old and important. Essentially, humans have been making wine in some form or another for thousands of years, and in fact, wine making even predates humanity because our non-human ancestors were making their own versions of wine before the emergence of homo sapiens. As you can imagine, these early wines were more primitive and the science behind the processes were not understood.
Whether you are taking part in a vineyard tour and wine tasting event, or are simply heading to a bar that the locals love in order to sample its unique offerings and atmosphere, you can have a lot of fun with this kind of learning experience. Today we’ll be looking into some of the most fascinating wine cultures from around the world, and maybe one day you'll want to head out into the world and experience them for yourself.
The rich and varied cultures around wine
Since ancient times, the Greeks have held wine centrally in their culture, and the Ancient Greeks even had Dionysus, the god of wine who travelled the world teaching other cultures the art of wine making. Retsina is an ancient wine that was made in Greece more than 2000 years ago, and is still made for consumers to this day. This ancient wine was sealed in its bottles using pine resin which gave the wine a distinct pine flavour and prevented it from spoiling.
A small nation found where eastern Europe meets western Asia, Georgia has one of the oldest wine cultures in the world. Amazingly, archaeologists have found evidence of wine being mass produced in this region during the Stone Age! Wine was brewed in large clay pots and then buried for up to nine months to allow the wine to develop a beautiful amber colour.
France is probably the most famous wine making region in modern times and is second only to Italy in terms of volume produced. Perhaps the best and most famous wine produced in France is bordeaux wine which is known for its rich flavour and colourful history. Wine has been made in the Bordeaux region since about 60 BCE and the Ancient Romans were the first to dedicate this part of France to wine making.
Maybe you’ll be surprised to hear that Canada has a unique and fascinating wine culture and is particularly famous for its ice wines. Ice wine is a sweet dessert wine that has a unique character thanks to the fact it is made from thick skinned grapes that are allowed to freeze on the vine. This freezing process locks in the sugars and the grapes are pressed when still frozen to retain this characteristic sweetness. This produces a wine that is bursting with sweet honey, fruit and citrus flavours.
Peru is gaining global recognition for its wines, and there are two main types: standard wines and pisco. Technically pisco is a brandy that is made by distilling wine, creating a luxurious drink that has a higher alcohol content than standard wines. Peru has enjoyed a vibrant wine making culture since the process was introduced by the Spanish in the 1500s. The arid Ica valley region is surrounded by dunes and it is the country’s most famous wine region, growing beautiful Malbecs and Chardonnays to name a few.
Wine is something best enjoyed with friends and family, and a good meal, but there are no rules as to how and when you can enjoy your favourite vintage. Whether you want to relax with a glass of your favourite red at the end of a long day or want to pick out something special and sparkling for a celebration, you will find there are thousands of beautiful wines to choose from.