Top 10 wine gods and goddesses 11th January, 2013 by Rupert Millar The true origins of viticulture and brewing, whether it was in Sumeria, the Lebanon, Georgia and so on, may never be known for sure. What is sure is that ever since he first created alcoholic drinks, man has usually ascribed to them divine properties. As was pointed out in the Top 10 Wine Saints, Christianity merely replaced the old gods of wine, beer, grapes and grain, with new figureheads. This often makes the identification of “wine gods” rather tricky and, aside from some of the more obvious standouts, ancient cultures and societies often venerated many figures connected to drink. The Greeks in particular personified many things relating to wine, its effects and preparation, with minor deities. There was Methe, the personification of drunkenness, Acratopotes, one of Dionysus’ companions and a drinker of unmixed wine, there was Ceraon who watched over the mixing of wine with water and Amphictyonis a goddess of wine and friendship between nations.

People would offer wine to their gods (sometimes known as a libation) and the gods themselves often liked to drink, in some stories it is they that taught man the secrets of fermentation.food and wine best fast recipes Norse mythology meanwhile promised unending drinking in the afterlife, while a particularly grim fate awaited newly deceased wrongdoers in Ancient Egypt.best 2008 red wine Wine and beer as liberators of the senses, a means of relaxation and the celebration of life appear as the most important themes here but so too is the darker side of uninhibited pleasure, as readers of The Bacchae will know.best wine for cheese pizza If you have any other suggestions of any other gods and goddesses and drinking mythology to add to our pantheon then please leave a message below.best wine education podcasts

Thracian Lowlands, Bulgaria | Best Wine Destinations 2017best wine texas Located south of the Balkan Mountains, bounded by the Black Sea to the east and Greece to the south, Bulgaria’s Thracian Valley is considered by many historians to be one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world. best red wine in 2008Recently unearthed archaeological evidence suggests that wine was made 7,000 years ago by members of the cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. The lowlands have a mild climate, rolling hills and a maritime influence that provide a perfect environment to grow grapes. Base yourself in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city, to discover indigenous grape varieties, ancient culture and modern winemaking techniques. Located on a rustic cobblestoned street in Plovdiv’s Old Town district, Puldin Restaurant serves traditional Thracian and Bulgarian cuisine in a former Orthodox monastery.

You’ll feel like a tsar at Peter the Great’s namesake restaurant, Peter I, while you dine on Thracian grilled meats and elegantly prepared French dishes. Have a glass of wine while you enjoy the view over Plovdiv from the terrace. For small plates paired with Bulgarian and continental wines, try Vino Culture just steps from the Plovdiv Ancient Theatre, one of the best preserved examples of its kind in the world. Vino Culture / Photo by Dimitar Yakov The modern Grand Hotel Plovdiv Novotel offers views of the Maritza River. Centrally located with spacious guest rooms, Park Hotel Sankt Peterburg features an outside pool and spa complex. Attached to a bustling casino that draws locals and jet-setters alike, the Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium is on one of Plovdiv’s wide pedestrian streets with loads of shops, restaurants and cafes. Visit Plovdiv’s Ethnographic Museum to get a feel for old Bulgaria’s glory. You’ll find exhibitions of art, furniture, crafts and folkloric costumes housed in a beautifully restored mansion.

Active travelers can enjoy cycling in the nearby Rhodope Mountains. A short drive from Plovdiv takes you to shaded mountain roads and marked cycling trails. A few lev gains you access to the Ancient Theatre. Built around 100 A.D. during the rule of the Emperor Trayan, the theater once hosted hunting games and other bloody spectacles. Today it’s the site of considerably more genteel entertainment, like drama and music. Recently unearthed archaeological evidence suggests that wine was made 7,000 years ago by members of the cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Plan to travel before 2019, when Plovdiv holds the honor of European Capital of Culture and will be more crowded than usual. Just a few minutes from the Old Town, you’ll find a beautiful tasting room at Dragomir Winery Estate, where you can sample wines made from indigenous and international varieties. Another charming Old Town option is Minkov Brothers Wine Cellar, built on a picturesque hill. One of the oldest wineries in Bulgaria, Asenovgrad LTD was founded in 1947.

Its Chateau Assena is a great place to stop when you’re visiting the Bachkovo Monastery. Dragomir Winery Estate / Photo by Dimitar Yakov Angel’s Estate is a new operation that’s making wines from estate-grown grapes. Make sure to try the Stallion wine. One of the most technologically advanced wineries in Bulgaria, New Bloom Winery, in nearby Saedinenie, offers wines made from traditional grapes as well as varieties like Regent and Dornfelder. An elegant tasting room, gourmet restaurant and luxury guesthouse, Edoardo Miroglio Winery is set among nearly 400 acres of vineyards. Quality winemaking may have suffered during the Communist Era, but today’s young, post-Soviet winemakers are producing excellent wines from indigenous varieties. Mavrud is one of the leading red grapes. It produces a powerful and tannic red wine that can stand alone or be blended with international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Merlot. Wines are also made from Rubin, a spicy red grape.