| Wine has been around for thousands of years. It | | | | During the 17th century, the wine industry saw a |
| has been reported that Noah discovered wine | | | | brief decline. A supply of clean drinking water was |
| making after his ordeal with the flood. | | | | now available so wine was no longer needed as a |
| From ancient civilizations to modern times, wine | | | | major part of the daily diet. Politics and religion did |
| has been produced and enjoyed by many people | | | | not help matters by doing very little to promote |
| of all walks of life. The first evidence of wine | | | | drinking wine for pleasure. During the 18th |
| produced dates back to 6000BC during the | | | | century, wine went through many changes. |
| Mesopotamian culture. It has been shown that the | | | | Because of England's strained relationship with |
| Mesopotamians were the first people to cultivate | | | | France, they were without a major source of |
| grapes. | | | | wine and had to look to Portugal, Holland and |
| Although not the first to produce wine, the | | | | South Africa for their wine. Even with having bad |
| ancient Egyptians were the first people to record | | | | relations with England, the wines of Bordeaux |
| the wine making process. They recorded the | | | | began to flourish during the 18th century. |
| harvest of grapes on stone tablets and on the | | | | Merchants traveled from all over Europe just to |
| walls of their tombs. It has been reported that | | | | get a chance of obtaining Bordeaux wines. As a |
| their love of wine, forced them to import the | | | | result Bordeaux made trades for coffee and |
| grapes that they were unable to grow | | | | other sought after items. This cemented their |
| themselves. It has been recorded that many | | | | place in the wine making world. |
| Pharaohs were buried with bottles of wine with | | | | Although the 19th century is considered the |
| them to assure their journey to the next world | | | | golden age of wines, it has been found that many |
| be more enjoyable. Just as in modern times, wine | | | | of the French grapevines began to suffer from a |
| was a very social drink in Ancient Egypt. | | | | mysterious disease at this time. For this reason, |
| Wine also played a major role in the religion of | | | | some French winemakers moved to the Rioja |
| Ancient Greece. It was associated with the god | | | | region of Spain and taught their people the |
| Dionysus and was praised by Greek poets, | | | | process of wine making. |
| historians and artists. Much like the ancient | | | | In modern times, wine is as popular as ever. The |
| Egyptians, wine was considered a privilege and | | | | process of wine making has developed greatly. |
| only the upper class were permitted to consume | | | | After the development of refrigeration, it was |
| it. | | | | easier for wineries to control the temperature of |
| During the time of the Roman Empire, the | | | | their fermentation process. This enabled high |
| production of wine spread throughout Europe. It | | | | quality wines to be produced anywhere, |
| was at this time that wine became available to | | | | regardless of the climate. |
| the common citizens. It has been found that the | | | | More countries are producing wine at greater |
| consumption of wine became so popular that | | | | varieties more than ever before. Although the art |
| some cities built bars on nearly every street just | | | | of wine making has essentially remained the |
| for the purpose of drinking and celebrating wine. | | | | same, every new recipe allows a more unique |
| Pure red or white wines were unheard of in | | | | take on wine and its varieties. |
| ancient Rome, instead the Romans believed that | | | | There are many benefits to home wine making. |
| adding flavor to their wine was more important | | | | Aside from the health benefits you can get from |
| than to taste the original flavor of the wine. They | | | | moderate consumption of wine, home wine |
| began to add flavors such as garlic and onion to | | | | making can be quite fulfilling. Home wine making is |
| their wines. | | | | an enjoyable, educational and satisfying hobby. |
| During the Dark Ages, wine production was made | | | | The process of making wine at home has |
| by the efforts of monasteries. As the church | | | | become more and more popular with the ease of |
| expanded, so did their wine production. It was at | | | | home wine making kits that are now available. |
| this time that some of the finest vineyards in | | | | Recipes and instructions make the process easy |
| Europe began to develop. Due to the fact that | | | | and successful for anyone interested. For wine |
| Europe lacked a source for clean, safe drinking | | | | enthusiasts around the world, creating wine at |
| water, wine was considered to be an important | | | | home provides a sense of fulfillment that for |
| part of everyday life. | | | | many can be unmatched. |