Caracterwines
The distribution

of the vine

Greek Influence
Greek settlers were the first who finally brought the vines to Central Europe. Which resulted in them cultivating vines in the present-day Swiss canton of Valais and the Italian peninsula 800 to 600 BC. And later on they found perfect conditions for viticultures further south and called the area Oenotria "land of wine". Wine was then also produced in Gaul, present-day France, beginning 400 BC. .
Things changed however: the Romans completely overran the Greek settlements in southern Italy until 270 BC and grew their empire. Therefore viticulture was able to spread all over Europe. Especially throughout Spain, among the Celts, and a little later in Germania on the Rhine Valley and Moselle. The Romans didn't just intensified viticulture in colonies such as Wachau but even managed to bring it to England. They always drank their wine mixed with water. Two thirds was water to be exact - everything else was considered barbaric. Importantly wine at that time was not used as a stimulant as it is today. It was very common drink, which was know to be strengthening and healing.
Roman invaders
People in Byzantium, the Eastern Roman Empire around 400 A.C., on the other had had different views demanding rather spiced wines, which were mixed with lavender, laurel, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, rose petals, wormwood, anise or mastic. Of course only to improve its taste. At the same time, this spiced wine was also said to have a medical effect. For example retsina, a resinated wine, was also very popular besides the widespread muscat from Samos, Lemnos and the Cretan malvasia wine. Not to forget about the wines from the greek islands Varna in the Black Sea. Wine was significantly drunk more than in ancient times - at this time is was mixed 1:1 with water. They only recommended to drink pure wine in a winter morning. But the wines were usuallyunfortunately reserved for the men.
Spiced Wine
This text was researched and written by Charlotte Münch © Copyright & and all other right of all texts on weinstore24 belongs to caracter.tv. In addition, visit our Infopage libanonweine.com for more information about the wines of Lebanon.