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.

History of Beer Brewing

Beer is practically a staple in social drinking in many countries around the world today. It has been described as a “social tool” because it promotes socialization bonds when used in moderation. Beer is said to be the third most popular beverage around the world, following water and tea. It is served in restaurants, bars, pubs, social events, parties, and festivals. It is served in celebrations as much as it has proven to be a good companion in times of problems and misery.

Beer brewing entails the fermentation and brewing of starches or sugar. Starches are the byproducts of cereals such as barley, rice, wheat, and corn. The dawn of the Industrial Revolution gave way to the mass production and distribution of beer. Today, beer brewing is among the most lucrative enterprises worldwide.

Beer is said to be the oldest brewed beverage in human history. Traces of the earliest beer brewing activities date back to as early as the sixth millennium B.C. Ancient Iran and Egypt were regarded as the earliest beer producers, followed by Babylon, ancient Rome, and ancient Greece. Experts suggest that the fermentation process could also have made possible the simultaneous discovery of beer or beer-like brews in many parts of the world.

Ancient Sumerian writings mentioned beer such as in a prayer to the goddess Ninkasi. “The Hymn to Ninkasi” is believed to have been some kind of recipe for making beer as few of the Sumerians were literate. Beer brewing is closely associated to the invention of bread, making it an important milestone in agricultural development. Some observers even go as far as claiming that the discovery of beer and bread are the pillars of human civilization.

Chemical tests showed that pottery jars from Mesopotamia (Iran today) show evidence of beer fermentation. A 4,000-year-old Sumerian tablet reportedly depicted people drinking a brewed beverage from a common bowl using straws.

Early Eurasian and North African civilizations, including Egypt, actively participated in beer brewing. There have also been beer citations during biblical times such as in the story of Noah and the ark and the time of King Saul and King David.

Ancient Rome also enjoyed beer way before wine replaced the beverage as the alcoholic drink of choice. They are said to have learned the art of beer brewing from the Greeks, who in turn, learned it from the Egyptians. The Romans called beer “cerevisia” which is a Celtic term. Eventually, the Romans started regarding beer as a drink of the Barbarians.

The Middle Ages saw all social classes enjoying the alcoholic beverage and engaging in beer brewing. Beer raised to popularity the most in Eastern Europe, where grapes, which are used for producing wine, are difficult to grow. Beer became a staple for every meal by the Late Middle Ages especially for the lower classes.

Eventually, manufacturers started using hops, the female flower cones of the hop plant, wherein the bitter taste of beer is attributed. Before the use of hops, herbs, fruit, and honey were used to mix with beer. Hops enabled the better preservation of beer and it helped balance the ingredients. Monks were said to have actively participated in making and selling beer.