1. BACK IN TIME Back in time! How did viticulture start?
Did the Greeks or the Romans spread grapevines across Europe?
What did monks do to viticulture ? in this chapter.
You will find it all in this chapter.
Back in time! How did viticulture start? Did the Greeks or the Romans spread grapevines across Europe? What did monks do to viticulture? You will find it all in this chapter.

2. It starts at…
To learn about this we need to go back in time thousands of years. Back then, the wine trade flourished in Mesopotamia; there were even some brands named after their region of origin. People drank grape wine, but also palm wine; the palm tree, by the way, was a very important tree in Mesopotamia. Besides wine, many other fruits were part of daily nutrition: pomegranates, apples, pears, apricots, plums, green almonds, and possibly even bananas. During this early period (from circa 6,000 – 4,000 BC) viticulture spread to areas surrounding the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
To learn about this we need to go back in time thousands of years. Back then, the wine trade flourished in Mesopotamia; there were even some brands named after their region of origin. People drank grape wine, but also palm wine; the palm tree, by the way, was a very important tree in Mesopotamia. Besides wine, many other fruits were part of daily nutrition: pomegranates, apples, pears, apricots, plums, green almonds, and possibly even bananas. During this early period (from circa 6,000 – 4,000 BC) viticulture spread to areas surrounding the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Egyptian gifts
It also spread to the ancient Egyptians! Murals in their tombs offer proof that they made wine.
In Egyptian times, wine was not yet intended for mere ‘mortals’; instead wine was put in the pharaoh's tomb as a gift for the gods.
It also spread to the ancient Egyptians! Murals in their tombs offer proof that they made wine. In Egyptian times, wine was not yet intended for mere ‘mortals’; instead wine was put in the pharaoh's tomb as a gift for the gods.

4. Drink of the gods
The ‘drink of the gods’ first became popular in ancient Greek civilization in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine. Big parties and savage orgies were organized:
after all, wine brought partygoers into a state of exaltation and symbolized fertile land. The Romans took this even further; they honored the same god, although they called him Bacchus
The ‘drink of the gods’ first became popular in ancient Greek civilisation in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine. Big parties and savage orgies were organised: after all, wine brought partygoers into a state of exaltation and symbolised fertile land. The Romans took this even further; they honoured the same god, although they called him Bacchus.

5. Roman monks
The Romans spread viticulture and wine trade throughout Europe. When the Roman Empire fell in the fifth century, trade between different countries also ceased. Monks took over the care for the vineyards.
The Romans spread viticulture and wine trade throughout Europe. When the Roman Empire fell in the fifth century, trade between different countries also ceased. Monks took over the care for the vineyards.

6. Christian faith
The monks considered wine to be inherent in Christian faith. After all, Jesus had turned water into wine. We should be happy about this; in a certain way those monks created the basis for viticulture as we know it today.
The photo shows wine barrels that were used to store wine in old times.
The monks considered wine to be inherent in Christian faith. After all, Jesus had turned water into wine. We should be happy about this; in a certain way those monks created the basis for viticulture as we know it today. The photo shows wine barrels that were used to store wine in old times.

7. English victory
Soon, the English started to import wine from Bordeaux and they were quickly followed by other countries. The ports in Bordeaux, Venice, and Porto became important for export. Improved bottles were developed.
In short, the world of wine was being professionalized. In 1855, under Napoleon III, a system was created that classified all wines.
Soon, the English started to import wine from Bordeaux and they were quickly followed by other countries. The ports in Bordeaux, Venice, and Porto became important for export. Improved bottles were developed. In short, the world of wine was being professionalised. In 1855, under Napoleon III, a system was created that classified all wines.

8. In france
The French argued that if you paid a lot of money for a wine, it should be a very special wine. Real quality assurance came in 1935 with the introduction of the Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée. The AOC registers the following characteristics (among others): size of the vineyard, production method, grape varieties, maximum yield, alcohol percentage. Other European countries subsequently introduced comparable systems. An adjustment was made in 2012, when the four old categories. were replaced by three new labels: table wine (vin de table) became Vin de France (VdF), country wine (Vin de Pays) became Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP), and finally AOC became Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP). The VDQS category was abolished.
The French argued that if you paid a lot of money for a wine, it should be a very special wine. Real quality assurance came in 1935 with the introduction of the Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée. The AOC registers the following characteristics (among others): size of the vineyard, production method, grape varieties, maximum yield, alcohol percentage. Other European countries subsequently introduced comparable systems. An adjustment was made in 2012, when the four old categories were replaced by three new labels: table wine (vin de table) became Vin de France (VdF), country wine (Vin de Pays) became Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP), and finally AOC became Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP). The VDQS category was abolished.
::: OPMERKING :::
Hier stond in de oorspronkelijke tekst dat de nieuwe classificatie ‘Vignoble de France’ is, dit had ‘Vin de France’ moeten zijn.

9. ‘the new world’
Commercial wine pioneers mostly sought their refuge outside of Europe, where they were not bothered by strict quality regulations and traditions. If you want to know more about the contents of this chapter, go straight to this chapter’s
Game learning program in the main menu.
Commercial wine pioneers mostly sought their refuge outside of Europe, where they were not bothered by strict quality regulations and traditions. If you want to know more about the contents of this chapter, go straight to this chapter’s Game learning programme in the main menu. The next chapter deals with the journey ‘from grape to wine’.

10. The end
Perfect!!
You know a lot about history now. Go to the Game learning part to find out more an more!
The next chapter deals with the journey ‘from grape to wine’.