Egypt and Mesopotamia
Wine Regions in History

Egyptian Artifacts from 400bc

Wine production became very organized over the years. Amphorae soon had marks indicating year, maker, source of vineyard, and other information. Wine was popular in higher social circles than beer was, and was used both at parties and for religious festivals. Tomb paintings included depictions of wine.

Wines in Sumeria were classified by types and by 900BC rations were being given to soldiers and travellers. Wine was used for entertaining, medicinal and religious purposes. Wine was imported from other wine producing countries, often in earth jugs. Writings of the time speak of large, wooden barrels of wine being boated from one town to another.

Amphorae

Sumeria morphed into Persia, a great nation that grew larger and larger. Persia was also a wine country - salaries were sometimes paid in wine. Young workers did not get this kind of payment, but both men and women did. Women giving birth were given an extra bonus of wine, to encourage the creation of new workers. Herodotus commented that leaders would often reconsider an opinion made while drunk, but would conversely get drunk to reconsider an opinion made while sober!

In 550BC, Darius of Persia - now a large, thriving nation - conquered Egypt, combining together these great cultures. Persia lasted until the death of Alexander the Great in 323, when it dissolved.

Wine Regions in History