The wine industry has been around for centuries, and throughout history it has undergone many evolutions. As far back as ancient Rome, wine has been a part of the culture, but what kind of wine did they drink? The answer depends on several factors.
Romans had access to a wide variety of wines and took full advantage of it. They would produce wines in various shapes and sizes, which could cost a large fortune or be very affordable. The production of wines was mainly done in the form of fermentation and was influenced by the climate of the area, the grapes available and the style of wine desired. The types of wines consumed would vary depending on the person’s social class.
The majority of the Roman empire’s production was red wine we would call similar to today’s Italian wines such as Amarone or Chianti. They similarly used a fraction of productions of white wines, often in the form of a sweetened and spiced variety. Consequently, it was common to find a mixture of several different wines. Even though the quality of those wines might not have been the same as today, the Romans still enjoyed their wines and valued it as a strong part of their culture.
The different wines were usually consumed in different forms – conventionally wine was consumed in 3 major forms. In taverns and parties wine was drunk in diluted form as it was considered a symbol of hospitality. Consuming pure wine was also not uncommon but Romans usually preferred consuming it in the form of mixed drinks with water, spices and herbs. Of course, each region had their own recipes and preferences such as grape wines mixed with honey or nutmeg. They had interesting names for these concoctions, such as ewariatio, which was a mixture of wine with honey, herbs and spices. Even malaga wines, which were mixed with 1/3 of honey, was popular in Rome.
The legionnaires of the Roman army had their own unique way of consuming wine. As they marched through the lands they showed off their ferocity and would prepare themselves a soup made up of wine and brine which was called the posca.
The Roman world was one of the most important wine producing regions of the world in its heyday. Most of the vineyards they cultivated then still yield their produce today. The plethora of wines they produced were also one of the reasons why so many trading and business transactions were made with Roman wines by many different cultures around the world.
The Role of Politics in Ancient Rome
Political life in ancient Rome played a major role in the development of the wine production and culture in the region. Political decision-making of the Senate and the governing bodies heavily influenced many aspects of the industry, from taxation and production to trade and foreign relations.
Major decisions such as banning certain grape varieties or vineyards were announced by governors and senate members as ways to control production and trade activities. Everything from taxation to the water supply was controlled and influenced heavily by Rome’s ruling families and political leaders of the time.
Wine was highly valued in Rome and in many other cultures of the time. It represented hospitality, excess and even power. Therefore it was commonly used in the political circles. Even the contracts and treaties between members of the Senate were sealed with a good glass of wine.
Taxation has always been a source of tension between the governing body and the people. As wine was a highly sought after product, taxes were imposed on it by the Senate. This meant that the privileged members of society were able to obtain and consume better quality wines than the common people.
Although wine was an integral part of the Roman culture, it was not accessible to everyone due to its high price. This meant that only the wealthiest members of Roman society could afford the luxury of drinking the best wines.
Ancient Roman Viticulture
Viticulture is the practice of cultivating grapevines in order to produce wine. In the Roman world, viticulture was taken seriously as late as the 4th century BC. Evidence of this can be observed in Roman authors, such as Cicero, who wrote extensively about the subject.
Vineyards of the ancient Roman period were managed differently compared to modern vineyards. The technology used was more manual and their growing techniques adapted to the various climates in their region. Production was limited to the seasons and soil conditions, with some regions more suitable than others for grape harvesting.
At that time, vines were grown on an especial care and attention. They had to be covered with hay to protect them from the sun, or treated with specific oils and extracts to protect them against insects or diseases. Furthermore, vineyards had to be regularly pruned and managed in order to ensure quality grapes and plenty of them.
Along with viticulture, the Romans developed their own style of winemaking, mostly from mixing different grape varieties and aging them in wood barrels. Wine became an important part of their culture and was used for many different occasions, from religious ceremonies to everyday life.
Winemaking and viticulture were not the only aspects of wine production taken seriously by the Romans. They also developed intricate laws and regulations in order to regulate the trade of wine and to avoid any kind of fraud or deceit. This ensured that only the best wines were made available to the public.
Designing Roman Wine Labels
Ancient Roman wine labels were designed to identify the quality, vintage and region of origin. This was important for the Romans, as there were many different types of wines and many different regions where grapes were cultivated. Labels were also designed as a sort of advertising for the wine and its producer – a form of branding that is still used today.
The labels often depicted the gods or goddesses associated with the region, giving the wines a spark of divine decadence. Famous Romans, such as Julius Caesar and Octavian, were sometimes depicted on the labels as well. Another popular feature on the labels was the symbols used to identify the quality of the wines and the region of origin. Usually, these represented different gods associated with wine, such as Dionysus or Bacchus, as well as symbols of luck like the bull, the dolphin and the icarus.
The labels were also designed to indicate certain characteristics of the wines, such as the land and the grapes used. This was important for the Romans to differentiate between the different wines from different regions and to demonstrate the quality. The Romans were known for their sophisticated taste in wines, and the labels were designed specifically to reflect that.
The labels used in ancient Rome were far more sophisticated than the ones used today. They were carefully designed to show the qualities of the wine, the region from which it came, and the gods associated with it. They were an important part of Roman culture, and they helped to establish the wines as a symbol of status, power and sophistication.
Foreign Relations in Ancient Rome
Trade played a hugely important role in ancient Rome. By the height of the Roman empire, it was seen as a gateway to the world, allowing foreign cultures to exchange goods. Rome was also extremely influential in where it exported its wines, often trading them in Europe and other parts of the world. This was not only a great source of income, but it also helped to export their culture and influence to distant civilizations.
The trading of wines from Rome to other parts of the world helped to spread the knowledge of viticulture and winemaking, as well as the appreciation for the finer arts of life. However, it wasn’t only wines that were being exported. The Romans also built their reputation on other commodities and luxury items, such as olive oil, spices and gold, and were even known to trade with the Chinese and Middle East, who in turn brought exotic goods with them.
Wine trading wasn’t just limited to other countries, but to other civilizations too. Ancient Rome had strong relations with a variety of cultures, such as the Etruscans and Greeks, who influenced the production and consumption of their wines.
Furthermore, Rome developed different strategic agreements with various groups in order to protect their production. For example, they traded wines with the Gauls, who lived in the northern countries of Europe, in return for gold and silver which they used to build their military and protect their borders.
By trading wines, the Romans not only spread their culture and influence to different civilizations, but they also developed strong relationships with many of them and encouraged a global integration of ideas and customs.
Legacy of Ancient Roman Winemaking
Even though the Roman empire has long since disappeared, their legacy in the world of winemaking is still alive and well. The viticulture techniques and practices developed by the ancient Romans are still being used today and are still creating world-renowned wines.
The Italian wine region of Tuscany, for example, was heavily influenced by the Romans and many of the techniques developed by the Romans are still being used by modern winemakers. Other regions such as the Rhone Valley of France, have also seen a resurgence in the interest of winemaking spurred on by the legacy of the Romans.
Winemaking, viticulture and labeling techniques have also been adopted by other people around the world. The Romans had a strong influence in areas such as the Middle East and North Africa, where their wine-making traditions are still celebrated to this day.
The influence of the ancient Romans can still be felt in the way winemaking is approached today. Their techniques and practices are still being followed and the quality of their wines is still unrivaled. It is no wonder then that the Romans were so successful in their winemaking endeavors, as their legacy still lives on.
