What makes wine one of the best drinks in the world? Is it its inimitable taste or century-spanning history? Well, both answers are more than correct! However, what we love most about wine is its ability to bring people together, contributing to unforgettable memories. And what’s even better, wine is celebrated differently around the world. Certain countries have unique winemaking techniques, while others have entire festivals dedicated to our favorite drink.
Given this impressive diversity, we’re taking you on a wine culture trip all over the world! From Spain to Georgia, we’ll show how this impressive drink has impacted the world.
Greece
Greece is considered the birthplace of wine as all the ancient Gods enjoyed their tantalizing nectar. Consequently, major wine-making breakthroughs have happened in the country, including the creation of the (in)famous Retina wine. Namely, this is one of the oldest white wines in the world, 2,000 years to be precise. It is believed that even the Gods made Retina and used the pine from Aleppo treats to preserve its taste. Now, not all Greeks favor the wine, but it's pairing with feta cheese and some watermelon is truly undeniable.
Spain
You’ve probably heard all about the famous annual Tomatina Festival in Spain. For those of you unfamiliar with it, the locals gather and have the biggest tomato fight during this festival. And while it may sound incredibly exciting, you’ll surely like the Haro Wine Festival even more! Each year, the locals gather in the quaint town and Haro in the La Rioja region and fight with a really innovative weapon - wine. Just pick up a bottle (or a few) and start spraying anyone who comes your way. And yes - sticking your tongue out while someone’s spraying out is perfectly acceptable. You wouldn’t let all that wine go to waste, would you?
Canada
As one of the coldest countries in the world, Canada has quite a special treat for all wine lovers, and it is indeed icy. Back in the 1700s when Germans immigrated to Canada, they brought Ice Wine (Eiswein) to the country. Although it originated in Germany, its popularity surged in Lumberjack Country. Ice wine is a delicious dessert wine made of frozen grape skins. As they’re squeezed, they provide a delicious fruity flavor, perfect for finishing a sublime dinner course. And don’t worry, you can find Ice wines everywhere in Canada!
Italy
Considering Italy is one of the leading winemaking countries in the world, you’ll surely stumble upon many stories on the wine’s impressive healing properties. One is the story of Saint John’s Water. According to a local belief, if a wine bottle is left open during Saint John’s Eve in Tuscany to be exposed to the midsummer dew, it will turn into a healing tonic. The next morning, the locals all gather and celebrate its curative properties. Whether it’s true or not, it’s up to you to find out!
Georgia
Here’s one thing you might have not known about wines - Georgia is actually one of the oldest wine producers in the world! Archeologists have discovered that tribes who used to live in the country’s caves have mass-produced wine during the Stone Age - that’s almost 8,000 years ago! However, there’s one wine that will surely catch your attention, especially its orange color. These are commonly called Kveris which refer to the clay pots in which these wines are made. The pots are buried in the earth along with the wine for about 6-9 months, resulting in a wine with a gorgeous orange color and a sublime taste.
Just these five countries are more than enough to show you how intricate wine culture actually is - and this is just the beginning of it! Luckily, you can always have a taste of it - just explore our vast wine collection from all around the world!
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