Wonderful World of Wine

Wonderful World of Wine

http://www.wallconvert.com/wallpapers/photography/wine-19692.html

When thinking about winemaking regions of the world, North Zealand is probably not the first one that comes to mind.  However, after our field study to Kelleris Vineyard, I came to appreciate the enormous impact that wine has had all around the world, and the modern advancements that allow for the cultivation of grapes in Denmark.  First, the vineyard owner explained that up until a few decades ago, Denmark’s cold northern climate was unsuitable for grape cultivation.  Consequently, most Danes drank beer over wine, and any wine had to be imported from a more warm-weather winemaking country.  However, biotechnological advancements have made the cultivation of these grapes possible outside their traditional winemaking regions.  Aside from the impressive agricultural advancements themselves, it is perhaps even more remarkable that wine had enough of an impact to drive these innovations.  As with so many other plants that have dominated world history, wine had so mesmerized the people of the world that they devised new means of modifying the grape plants so they could grow in far more diverse climates.   

http://nov14th.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/wine-history/

Looking beyond modern Denmark, evidence suggests wine has shaped human history for the last 6000 years.  Though wine was first produced in the Middle East, over the century it has become one of the world’s most popular beverages, reaching every continent on the globe (minus Antarctica).  Evidenced in the various pagan wine gods and in the Christian belief in wine being transfigured into the Blood of Christ, wine has played key roles in world religions for ages.  Wine has also inspired many of the world’s artistic masterpieces, ranging from ornate wine vases of antiquity to the paintings of artists like Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh (shown below).  Though winemaking today has grown to be a multibillion-dollar industry, its impacts extend far beyond the modern economy.  Indeed, wine has been one of the most influential plant products in all of human history.

https://www.wineofthemonth.co.za/the-wine-press/5-famous-paintings-with-wine