Several cultures have their own myths on how wine was created, though a commonality is that wine is typically regarded as a gift from the gods. For instance, in Egyptian mythology, wine was offered by the sun god Ra, and in Greek mythology, the wine god Dionysus is responsible for its introduction to society. One contrasting story is set in the Bible, where Noah created the first vineyard after the flood ended.
Regardless, the exact origin of wine is unknown. Like beer, it is thought to be a concoction so ancient that any records of its invention have been lost to time. However, it is suspected that wine was first produced during the Neolithic period in the Zagros Mountains. Specifically, wine was made from wild Eurasian grape vines and stored in pottery. Juice from crushed grapes would be fermented, converting the juice’s sugars into alcohol, and storing it in pottery would result in the liquid’s conversion to wine.
It should be noted that while beer was a common drink that everyone could indulge in, wine was a luxury, reserved only for the wealthiest elite. While some regions had environments well-suited to supporting vineyards, not all did, but those that did were able to capitalize on their fortuitous terrain by growing grapes alongside olives and other grains.
Even in Greece, where wine would later become a common luxury, the drink was a rare indulgence for all but the highest officials. Just like the amount of beer marked one’s social status, wine demonstrated one’s high standing, and it would continue to do so in the Roman Empire.
The rarity of wine meant that it held significant value, used as a tribute for kings. It was a source of great profit for merchants, and as a commercial product, wine was exported for high prices in areas that did not produce the drink, offering vineyard owners great wealth.
Though wine would eventually become more affordable as production spread, the beverage remained an opulence for a significant amount of time, more so in certain regions than others. In Greece, vineyards only spread in the 7th century BCE, made possible by the climate and terrain. The Greeks would also establish colonies on separate islands for the sole purpose of growing grapes.
Source:
Standage, Tom. A History of the World in 6 Glasses. Atlantic Books, 2006, pp. 43–61.
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