It is not easy at all to determine the true origin of wine, because many civilizations claim the invention of this highly valued alcoholic beverage.

The history of humanity is closely linked to agriculture and livestock, and wine, a beverage obtained by the fermentation of grapes which has been one of the most appreciated goods by most cultures since ancient times.

The name “wine” comes from the Latin “vinum”, and it is believed that it comes from the Greek word “oinos” and even from the Sanskrit word “vêna”.

Wine has conquered most cultures for its delicious flavor and aroma, and its alcoholic content has made it linked to important celebrations and events.

What is the true origin of wine?

Scientific and archaeological studies have shown that there is evidence that the oldest wine productions date back to the Bronze Age, from 6000 to 5000 BC and come from Georgia, Sumeria and Iran (Zagros Mountains).

A find of great value was the discovery of the oldest winery in the world known to this day, dating from 6100 years BC, between the mountains that border Georgia and Armenia, the true cradle of wine. The wine was stored in clay containers inside the Areni cave, where it was left to ferment. This civilization drank ceremonial wine during burial rituals.

In the Zagros mountains between Iran and Iraq, some Bronze Age wine vessels with red residue were discovered, which are attributed to being wine due to the analysis carried out.

Mankind's first wine harvest is given to that found in Sumer, in the fertile lands between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in ancient Mesopotamia.

History of wine, holy scriptures and pagan gods

As we have mentioned previously, many civilizations attribute the invention of wine and grant the discovery to one of their gods, divinities or heroes.

There are numerous mentions that wine gathers in sacred texts such as the Bible, for example in chapters of Genesis, Noah's Ark or the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Wine has been present in Christian Masses for centuries to the present day, as a symbol of the blood of Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist. This contributed in some way to the expansion of wine around the globe.

In other regions of the world such as China, the process of grape fermentation has been known for 4 millennia. In Egypt, wine is depicted in hieroglyphs on tombs and temple walls.

The Greeks attributed the harvests and the obtaining of wine to the god Dionysus. The Romans made their own adaptation with the god Bacchus.

Expansion and development of wine - The great contribution of the Phoenicians

The transition from the wild vine variety to the cultivated one was a great advance in the evolution of the history of wine. The new vines cultivated with the necessary care by the hand of man, ensured abundant and better quality harvests, since wine is the sum of many factors such as soil minerals, climate, irrigation, altitude, etc.

The great adaptability to different terrains and climatology was key in the expansion of vine cultivation, which soon spread to the Anatolian peninsula, Greece and Egypt.

There is documentation that in ancient Greece wine was diluted with water and kept in boots made of goatskin.

The Phoenicians were the ones who spread the winemaking techniques throughout the ancient Mediterranean, contributing to the success of the expansion of wine. The Phoenicians were, therefore, the architects of the development of the cultivation and elaboration of wine. In addition, they introduced vineyards and wineries in their territories in North Africa, Sicily, France and Spain, where they popularized wine and its trade with Greeks and Romans.

The rapid spread of Christianity also favored the expansion of wine, since it was a fundamental element in the celebration of masses.

The wine nowadays

Subsequently, the wine expanded to other areas of Europe and, today, to all corners of the temperate climates of the world.

The very expansion of vine crops has caused an enormous evolution in them, in their desire to achieve adaptation to new lands and climates, achieving a great diversity of types of grapes with new characteristics, flavors and aromas. Consequently, obtaining a great variety of wines with different nuances and aromatic notes that make up a very complex world, the world of wine or oenology.

Currently, the grape is the most harvested fruit in the world and up to 70% is used to make wine.

We invite you to take a look through our selection of wines to discover more about this drink of ancient origins which has conquered the senses of many civilizations around the world over the millennia.