Greek Wine Research Paper

Wine is a symbol of status in the early years of settlements. Only the rich could afford it because of the extreme distances it had to become transported. Once wine became more readily available, it was given as gifts. Many factors contributed to the increase in wine production, factors that include the presence of a grape vine, availability of cereal crops (which is also needed for beer) and pottery advancements. Plato, a famous philosopher, saw drinking and symposion in a different light than others. He saw it as a way to challenge and test an individual. As Greek wine became more popular, the culture and values were spread to other regions. Along with the customs and values knowledge of the cultivation of wine was also spread to places such
as Sicily and France. When wine grew too popular for small farms or subsistence farmers to handle, Rome’s population grew to be the world’s biggest metropolis. By looking at the handles of amphorae, people can map out where most of the wine was coming from. Different time periods have different places where wine was most popular. Shifts in the origin of wines may have been caused by things such as the plague or a rise of a new leader. Falernian wine was known as the “wine of the elite”. Since it took so long to be made into the glorious wine it was, it was a symbol of status. Wine became the overall dividing factor between the wealthy and the poor. Along with wine being the factor of status, many people tried to create laws in order to prevent outrage from the poorer citizens. They tried to ban certain foods and stop extravagant spending. Wine was brought to symbolic status through its connection with Christianity.