Early Mediterranean Wine Trade

By Catherine Hardiman

IntroductionThe history of wine- growing is as old as the ark.When Noah’s ark is said to have come to rest somewhere in the eastern region of Turkey, he planted grapes.Carbon dating of grape pip concentrations amongst pottery remains, found at various sites nearby , estimate that they date back to 5000B.C.Since that time the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans to name just some, fostered viticulture and the art of wine making, either by establishing vineyards in lands that they conquered, or by trading wine with other peoples for necessary commodities.

Ancient Egypt(3000-30BC)

• Wine – the drink of Egyptian aristocracy

• both sweet and dry red and white wines made

• Best vineyards in the Delta region

• Grapevines grown on overhead trellises

Egyptian Grape Harvesting

Egyptian Winemaking

The Phoenicians(about 1200BC-)

• Diligent students of viticulture and winemaking re-cording ancient knowledge (Carthaginian Treatises)

• A shipping nation, they dominated early wine trade• Spread the use of amphorae or the “Canaanite jar”

for storage and transport of wine.• Skilled craftsmen in pottery, textiles, ivory ware and

metal work (demand for these also all over the Mediterranean and Near East.)

Phoenician Winemaking

Phoenician Trade Routes

Winemaking in Ancient Greece(800-300BC)

Greek Wine Trade Routes

Greek Amphora

The Gauls

Gaul Territory

Gaul Barrels

The Roman Conquerors (of Gaul)

Domitien’s Decree

• In 92 AD Emporor Domitien decreed that the vineyards in Gaul be destroyed and corn be planted instead

• A veiled attempt to protect the Italian wine market by ensuring that restricting wine production in Gaul would inflate Italian wine prices

• Decree not fully lifted until 276AD (by Emporor Probus

Roman Barrels

• After the conquest of the Gauls, the Romans adopted the use of wooden barrels (from the Gauls) instead of using skins or earthernware pots to store wine

• Wooden barrels proved to be lighter, more easy to manoeuvre and transport over

• land

Roman Empire 117AD

Roman contribution to Wine History

• The Romans carried vines with them wherever they fought or conquered

• They recorded their observations about grapes and vines (including pest and disease susceptibility)

• Are credited with placing France at the hub of the world wine industry

References Dal Piaz, G. (2009). Introduction to sweet wine. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www.snooth.com/articles/commentary/a-history-of-wine/ Dal Piaz, G. (2009). The history of wine part three: Wine storage – barrels. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www.snooth.com/articles/commentary/the-history-of-wine-part-ii-wine-storage-barrels/ Dal Piaz, G. (2009). Wine storage – the early days: The basic material – pottery. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www.snooth.com/articles/commentary/the-history-of-wine-part-ii-wine-storage-the-early-days/ Nurse, K. (1994). The last of the (Roman) summer wine. History Today , 44, 1. Pellechia, T. (2006). Wine: The eight –thousand – year – old story of the wine trade. New York: Thunder’s Mouth.

Unwin, T. (1996). Wine and the vine: An historical geography of viticulture and the wine trade. New York: Routledge.