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history of wine:

The pharaohs of ancient Egypt from about 3000 BC on wards enjoyed wine. The inscriptions and illustrations of grape harvesting and wine making have been found in a number of tombs. Many temples had vineyards attached to them and it is thought that wine was used for religious ritual purposes. The majority of Egyptian wine is and was produced in the Nile delta area. Wine was stored in clay jars. Around 6000 BC, grapes were being grown and wine was being producted in Mesopotamia which is now modern day Iraq. 

The fact is that ancient Greeks raised wine production to an exceptional art using the wine as a drink as well as for medical purposes. Wine consumption in ancient Greece had strong associations with the cult of the god, Dionysos. With the rise of Greek influence throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas, vines were introduced to areas as far apart as Spain, France, Italy and Georgia. It is believed that a number of traditional southern Italian grape varieties were introduced by the Greeks. 

Wine was exported to all parts of the Roman Empire including France, Britain and the Rhineland area of Germany. Vineyards were also planted in many of these areas. The Romans documented different grape varieties and the types of soil that produced the highest yields. They also introduced wooden barrels and glass bottles to the wine trade.

In the dark ages vineyards were maintained by Monks at the monasteries the grapes were used for a source of communion wine. These wine producers laid the foundations for much of the modern wine industry throughout Europe.

Near the town of Speyer, Germany found in 1867 OLDEST BOTTLE of WINE. The bottle dates from approximately 325 A.D. The wine bottle is on display, with other wine antiquities, at the History Museum of the Pfalz, Take a virtual visit 

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