Key Dates in Wine History Research

Wine is an ancient beverage that dates back thousands of years. It was discovered rather than invented, and the earliest attempts to make it are obscure, but archeology and analytic chemistry have shed light on the matter. Noah, for example, is thought to have planted a vineyard in what is now Turkey, where wine is incredibly popular today. Eventually, wine became a staple drink for people of all walks of life.

what are key dates in wine history?

In the 16th century, the Catholic Church began encouraging winemaking. The French aristocracy took up the task and began classifying wines. By the year 1725, Bordeaux had a system for classifying their most expensive red wines. Only a few centuries later, was an official Bordeaux classification based on prices. By the 18th century, the region had five classes, with each class containing different wines.

Wine has been used as a religious symbol for centuries. For example, the Catholic Church uses wine as a substitute for the blood of Christ. It is also used in many religious rituals. And despite the fact that winemaking is a modern industry, it is still a traditional part of western culture.

What Are Key Dates in Wine History Research?

Wine made in the United States was once viewed as inferior to that of Europe. However, the rise of California wine changed that perception. In 1976, a blind tasting of California wines and French wines was held in Paris. The results, known as the Judgment of Paris, increased consumer acceptance of new world wines.

The Middle Ages was a time when wine was popular in the southern regions of Europe. While wine was largely banned in Muslim cultures, the Christian Church encouraged the practice and allowed it to flourish. Eventually, wine production began to rise and was exported to the northern regions. During this time, wine was still expensive and not often consumed by lower classes. However, during the Catholic Mass, wine was required, and Benedictine monks were the largest producers in France. Other Catholic wine producers included the Cistercians and Carthusians.

California’s wine history dates back to 1769, when the Spanish first planted vineyards near the Spanish mission San Diego de Alcala. These vineyards produced sweet white and dry red wines. The Mission grape was eventually popular and was the preeminent grape variety until the Industrial Revolution.

Wine production has grown throughout Europe and the Mediterranean for centuries, but the Romans didn’t take to it, sending wine over the Alps to the barbarian Gauls. In fact, the Romans preferred mead and beer. But they did acquire a wine-making book in 146BC. A Roman called Cato authored the first wine-making book. His book was a bestseller, and his wealth came from it. He was an influential author and pushed the Roman Empire to attack Carthage.

In the late 1800s, the vine pest Phylloxera invaded France, wiping out grapevines and ruining the industry. It killed off many indigenous grape varieties and made production a major challenge. In response, American root stock was used to recreate French vines and make new varieties.