History of Wine in Timeline

Wine is an alcoholic beverage primarily made from fermented fruit, typically grapes. During fermentation, yeast converts the sugars in the fruit into ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide, releasing heat. While grape wine is the most common type, wine can also be produced from other fruits like plums, cherries, pomegranates, blueberries, currants, and elderberries.

1979: Islamic Revolution in Iran

After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran's thriving wine industry disappeared because alcoholic drinks, including wine, are forbidden under most interpretations of Islamic law.

2003: Château d'Yquem vertical sold for $1.5 million

In 2003, a Château d'Yquem 135-year vertical, containing every vintage from 1860 to 2003, was sold for $1.5 million. Outstanding vintages from the best vineyards may sell for thousands of US dollars per bottle.

2003: Grapes mixed with rice in ancient China

In 2003, a report by archaeologists suggested the possibility that grapes were mixed with rice to produce fermented drinks in ancient China during the early seventh millennium BCE.

2009: EU wine classification

Since 2009, wine from the European Union has been classified under geographical indicators like "protected geographical indication" (PGI) and "protected designation of origin" (PDO) to promote products of specific areas and methods.

2016: Ethanol consumption review

In 2016, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that moderate ethanol consumption brought no mortality benefit compared with lifetime abstention from ethanol consumption.

2022: Simplification of Swiss wine classification

In 2022, the classification of Swiss wine was due to be simplified and aligned with EU rules, addressing its historically complex system of federalism.