... the gift man received from Dionysos (Bacchus), fertilized the literature and arts of Ancient Greece. This divinity was one of the main elements in Greek civilization, any study of which shows that wine was an inseparable part of a way of life of the Greeks for the last thousand years ...
The true family of grape vine is called Vitis Vinifera. Most of today's wines come from this variety. It first appeared in Egypt and Aegean islands (3000 - 1500 b.C.). From that age the first traces of wine were found in pots, instruments for wine making and underground caves that most probably were used as wine storage and for wine aging.
Much modern wine culture derives from the practices of the ancient Greeks. While the exact arrival of wine in Greek territory is unknown, it was certainly known to both the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures. Many of the grapes grown in modern Greece are grown there exclusively and are similar or identical to varieties grown in ancient times. Vathietro, west of Knossos in the mountainous area of Archanes, nine kilometers south of Heraklion, archeologists unearthed the ruins of a large Minoan country estate belonging to a local nobleman. A wine press and rooms full of clay jars for storing the wine were found in perfect condition among the ruins dated 1600 B.C.
Although born and raised in Mediterranean Sea area, due to its great adaptability, vine thrived in many temperate areas from Chile to Asia and from Australia to California.
Much modern wine culture derives from the practices of the ancient Greeks. While the exact arrival of wine in Greek territory is unknown, it was certainly known to both the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures. Many of the grapes grown in modern Greece are grown there exclusively and are similar or identical to varieties grown in ancient times. Vathietro, west of Knossos in the mountainous area of Archanes, nine kilometers south of Heraklion, archeologists unearthed the ruins of a large Minoan country estate belonging to a local nobleman. A wine press and rooms full of clay jars for storing the wine were found in perfect condition among the ruins dated 1600 B.C.
Although born and raised in Mediterranean Sea area, due to its great adaptability, vine thrived in many temperate areas from Chile to Asia and from Australia to California.
