Antiquity

Antiquity in wine history refers to the period from the earliest civilisations of the Near East through to the height of the Roman era, when viticulture and wine became integral to economic, social, and religious life across the Mediterranean. Wine in this period was not only an agricultural product but also a symbol of civilisation, trade, and cultural identity.

Background

Archaeological evidence from the Caucasus and Near East shows early wine production as far back as the 6th millennium BCE, spreading gradually into the Mediterranean basin. By the time of the great river civilisations, wine had already acquired ritual, medicinal, and economic significance. It reached Egypt, Ancient Greece, and later Rome, each of which developed distinct traditions in production and consumption.

Viticulture and Trade

In Egypt, viticulture was firmly established by the New Kingdom, with vineyards along the Nile producing wines that were stored in amphorae and often reserved for elites or ritual purposes. Greek expansion later spread viticulture throughout the Aegean and into southern Italy, while the Phoenicians were crucial in diffusing winemaking knowledge westward into Iberia and North Africa.

The Roman era marked the height of ancient wine trade. Amphorae recovered from shipwrecks and harbour sites testify to the vast commerce of wine across the Mediterranean. The Romans also developed large-scale vineyards and the use of wooden barrels and dolia for storage, innovations that influenced later European wine culture.

Wine Styles and Practices

Wine in Antiquity differed markedly from modern styles. It was often diluted with water before drinking, flavoured with herbs, spices, or resins, and sometimes sweetened with honey. Greek writers such as Hesiod and later Roman authors described numerous categories of wine, distinguished by origin, quality, and ageing potential.

Storage vessels such as amphorae were sealed with resin or pitch to prevent spoilage, giving the wines distinct flavours. The Romans classified wines by colour and age, and prized vintages from regions such as Falernum.

Cultural Significance

Wine played a central role in religion and society. In Greece, it was linked to the cult of Dionysus and the symposium, where drinking was entwined with philosophy, poetry, and politics. In Rome, it became an essential part of banquets and everyday life, symbolising both refinement and social status. Writers such as Pliny the Elder recorded detailed observations of viticulture and winemaking, reflecting the importance of wine in Roman intellectual life.

Legacy

Practices developed in Antiquity – including vineyard planting, classification of wine types, storage methods, and the cultural association of wine with status and ritual – laid the foundations for viticulture in medieval and modern Europe. The diffusion of grape varieties, winemaking technology, and the concept of wine as a cultural marker were among the most enduring legacies of the ancient Mediterranean.

See also

• Egypt
• Ancient Greece
• Roman era
• Amphora