By Jacqueline Kelly –
Alcohol has been around ever since man discovered how to grow crops for food. The earliest recorded alcoholic beverages date back from 4000 B.C, which means that the process of distillation and fermentation was understood since the beginning of civilization. Monks cultivated their own lands for production of grapes for the making of sacramental wine.
Wine-making colonized the world, originating in Armenia, in 4,600 B.C. The oldest explanation for the use of grapes in the preparation of wine from fermented rice and honey dates back to China about 9000 years ago. Evidence of wine produced from grapes has been found in Georgia from 6000 B.C. Iran from 5000 B.C. and Sicily from 4000 B.C. The Greeks were excellent viticulturists from 4500 B.C.
Emperor Charlemagne, his soldiers and Roman soldiers enjoyed the consumption of wine. Roman soldiers, who used the Rhône valley as their highway through France, were largely responsible for the history of the vineyards in the Rhône valley, France. It is the second largest wine producing region.
Wine is a mild alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of grapes. It is the fermented, pure, poetic essence of Mother Nature. The miracle of vinification rests entirely on yeast. The secrets of successful winemaking, is a very ancient art and closely guarded by many cultures. The success of good wine depends on the quality of the fruit used and the technique employed in its production.
There are different types of wine – white wines, red wines and rose wines usually depending upon the natural colour of the fruit and the country of origin. Table wines are those that are especially suitable for drinking with meals and are also called “dry wines”. They may be red, white or rosé. There are dry wines, medium wines, sweet wines, dessert wines, fortified wines and spiced wines which are classified by taste.
Sparkling wine is Champagne. Sherry is a fortified wine.
Champagne and Sherries and some of the spiced grape wines are drunk as appetisers.
Home- made wines imbibe the knowledge of eastern and western cultures. They are produced by the fermentation of fruit juices.
Mulled wine is a term used to describe a red variety of wine, blended with spices and served warm. Alcohol-free mulled wines can also be made by doing some alterations. Mulled wine is said to have been created by the Romans in the 2nd century who would heat wine to protect their bodies against the cold winter. Its popularity grew throughout the
Middle Ages and Europeans began to mix heated wine with spices because they believed it was good for health and prevented the body from various ailments. As a result, mulled wine became a favourite tradition during the winter months because of its warming qualities.
Wine evolved as a part of life and diet and with the passage of time shifted from being not only a source of nutrition but a complement to food and fine dining.
The first Biblical reference to wine dates back to the age of Noah [Genesis 9:20-21]. Mixture of wine and water was used for medicinal purposes. [1 Timothy 5:23]
Wine was like a disinfectant. Because of amoeba present in water, wine was added as a purifying agent.
Wine was the principal alcoholic beverage of the ancient Israelites and the very heart of Jewish tradition. It was used in everyday life and was an important staple of life for people in ancient Israel and the Mediterranean region. There are two types of Kosher wine [properly made according to Jewish dietary laws] – Mevushal and Non-Mevushal.
The wine obtained had to be handled by sabbath observant Jews.
Wine was stored in large pointed jugs called amphorae. The required quantity was poured from the amphorae into a large bowl known as kraters. From the kraters the cups known as kylix, were filled.
The common Hebrew word for wine is Yayin [Old Testament] from a root meaning “to be in a ferment”. The Greek word for wine is Oinos [New Testament] and the Latin word vinun. Asis, sweet wine or new wine [Amos 9:13] from a root meaning “to tread” hence, juice is trodden out or pressed out, referring to the method by which the juice of grapes is obtained. The only other plant whose fruit has been converted into wine was pomegranate [Solomon 8:2].
A drink offering of wine was presented with the daily sacrifice [Exodus 29: 40-41]. Several emphatic warnings are also given in the New Testament against excess use of wine [Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Timothy 3:8; Ephesians 5:18].
We also have the Sacramental wine which is known as Communion wine or Altar wine, is made strictly as per the Canonical Law and under the supervision of the Archdiocese. It is obtained purely from grapes and intended for use in the celebration of the Eucharist.
During the celebration of Mass the consecrated gold or gilded silver cup is used to hold the sacramental wine which is the Precious Blood of our Lord.
We have the non-alcoholic grape juice, which is associated with the blessing of harvest and prosperity from the Lord.
Wine making in Jordan is an age-old tradition that has a biblical heritage. “Wine was produced in Jordan more than 2,000 years ago but then it disappeared for centuries” said Omar Zumot, who studied winemaking in France, and now manages the Saint George winery in an eastern suburb of Amman.
Wine lovers like to say that the wine Jesus Christ served to His disciples at the Last Supper came from the northern town of Umm Qais in modern day Jordan, to signify how old the country’s wine-making tradition is.
“Winemaking in Jordan does not date back only 2,000 years, it goes back much further than the time of Christ”, said Swiss archaeologist, Ueli Bellwald who has been working on digs in the ancient Nabatean city of Petra for nearly three decades.
Wine production started in the Nabatean kingdom “in the middle of the 1st century B.C.” and reached a peak during the Roman and Byzantine periods, “based on the enormous number of wine presses from these times”. “There were even wine-making facilities of industrial scale”.
Mafraq is one of the most fertile regions of Jordan with soil rich in basalt that was formed by volcanic activity tens of thousands of years ago. It lies 840 metres [2,800 feet] above sea level, is rich in underground water and enjoys sunshine 330 days a year. All this makes for “exceptional” wine, said Firas Haddad, marketing manager of Eagle Distilleries, Zarqa, East of Amman.
Portugal being a wine-producing and exporting country [its Port wine, from the Douro region, is world famous], it is perhaps understandable that, during their rule in Goa, India, the Portuguese encouraged the wine industry.
In 1974, Dr. Ivo Da Costa Azaredo established the Vinicola Wines Pvt. Ltd., in Margao, Goa. Vincola is a leading provider of sacramental wine in India and in the international market. The Vinicola Sacramental Wine is made as naturally as possible and in conformity with the requirements of Canon Law and strictly under the supervision of the Archdiocese of Goa.
A Toast for ICM!
By Jaqueline Kelly –
In the midst of the corona virus pandemic, we are pleased to usher in the third consecutive year of the Indian Catholic Matters (ICM) website which caters to the reading pleasure of Catholics in India and abroad.
The work that is done by the religious and common man is indeed commendable. All the happenings have to be attributed to ICM which has shown integrity and professionalism. We can testify to its commitment to the journalistic fraternity of truth, independence and accountability. Since its inception on July 26, 2017, ICM has been instrumental in steering the wheels of the Indian Catholic news coverage.
I would like to thank ICM for giving me a platform to contribute articles on this website and to serve God in His vineyard.
This website has helped many to tap their inherent writing skills which is God’s gift to man. It is a means to which we can express our opinions, prove our capability, value and knowledge of Christianity.
ICM also stands for the Immaculate Conception of Mary. We pray that Mary protects ICM Team and its and families under Her mantle of love. May she shower Her blessings on all those who contribute to its success as the ICM has ranked 51st in the Feedspot 2020 top 100 Catholic websites in the world.
Let us learn from Mary to have the confidence in God, which we ought always to have and from God alone we must hope for the grace necessary to obtain it.
Let us stretch our arms wide and help the website to reach the topmost of the ladder in the promising years to come.
I love Jacqueline Kelly’s articles.
Who is she?