Who invented wine?
Posted in About Wine on October 28, 2009
The oldest bottle of wine in the world was found in a vineyard at Germany in 1867. It dates from about 325 A.D. The bottle is on display at the Historical Museum in Speyer, Germany.
The phrase, “Who invented wine?” may sound odd, since we are more likely to say, “Who discovered wine?” However, wine is produced by a chemical process, so it is correct to say that wine was invented.
Just as with grapes, most food could be fermented. The invention of wine may be due first to the discovery of other fermented sources such as rice or various fruits. Through experimenting on different food sources, wine was eventually produced.
No one can be sure who first hit upon wine, but an ancient Persian fable credits the invention to a princess who had lost favour with the King. She was so distraught that she attempted to end her life by eating some grapes that had spoiled. Instead of a successful suicide, however, she got giddy, intoxicated and then passed out. When she awoke, all the troubles of her life seemed to have disappeared. She continued to partake of spoilt grapes and her mood changed so much that she regained the favour of the King.
According to Greek mythology, wine was invented by Dionysus, the god of wine, intoxication, and fertility. It is said that he invented wine on Mount Nyssa and soon began to cultivate grapes around the world.
While the Persians, Greeks, and the rest of us, might not agree on who invented wine, there is no doubt we all are richer for the fact that it was invented by someone.
Duboeuf’s flower ~ “Fleurie” ~ exhibits a sumptuous array of floral and fruit fragrances on the nose: irises, violets, roses, black currant, strawberry, peach and raspberry. Effusive notes of cassis and blackberry jelly well up and lively acidity drives the red cherry, violet and blackberry flavours. Distinctively elegant and velvety. A nice firm, minerally edge on the finish adds dimension. $19.95*
Melipal, in the Mapuche Indian language, is the name of the constellation that best characterizes the Southern Hemisphere: the Southern Cross. Four stars, four points of light that guide us.
The body and rich flavour of this 10-year tawny blend port transport us to the place where it was created: the Quinta de Ervamoira. In this mystical, biblical landscape, the wine is extracted from the schist, from the silence, for our enjoyment. Blended from high-quality wines from harvests of different years, the new wines make it robust and fresh while the oldest wines give it complexity and lineage.
In the mouth, taste the fresh fruit surrounded by the wood. A good structure and perfect balance between fruit and alcohol. The palate is smooth and full-bodied. Following the initial oily feel, a fresh, soft fruitiness appears which finishes with a slightly acidic, woody note. A very good accompaniment to a conch salad with tomato and onion and to desserts made with dried fruit and nuts, orange marmalade and eggs. $41.95*
Rhone blends are usually based on Grenache grapes though some are predominantly Syrah or Mourvedre. The fact that these wines are blends gives the winemakers real flexibility in creating their wines. In the Southern Rhone Valley, the styles range from light, fruity, soft Cotes du Rhone to big, bold, age-worthy Chateaunuef-du-pape. (The same blend is popular in Australia and the U.S., where it is often called GSM ~ Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre ~ and exhibits the rich, bold fruit that these countries are famous for.)
The bright, alluring, golden colour hints at the elegance of this absolutely stellar icewine. A taste reveals its full opulence with the richness swirling gracefully and filling the palate with an explosion of lush fruits of mango, passionfruit, pineapple and lychees. 
The fruit-driven sweetness is supported perfectly by the well-balanced acidity and the lavish, lingering heat. Fantastic with exotic fruit salad, crème caramel, Roquefort cheese, blue cheese, or simply on its own after a beautiful meal. For a sweet experience, try it with foie gras.
Neon Cactus Wines’ Cochrane Winefest 2009
The. Formula Robert’s Shiraz
Mr Black’s Concoction GSM
Penfolds Bin 138 GSM
tannins. The high Mourvedre component explains the persuasive tannins on the finish. $36.95*