History of Wine

Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest wine production came from areas in Georgia and Iran, dating from 6000 to 5000 BC. The archaeological evidence becomes clearer in Early Bronze Age sites of the Near East, Sumer and Egypt from around the third millennium BC, where archaeologists have found remains that suggest domestication of the grapevine.

Greece is one of the oldest sites for grape making as well - some ancient Greek texts even describe how the ancient Greeks used partly dehydrated gypsum before fermentation and some type of lime after fermentation to reduce acidity.

In medieval Europe, the Roman Catholic Church was a huge supporter of wine and deemed it necessary for the celebration of Mass. In countries such as Germany, beer was banned and considered pagan and barbaric while wine consumption was viewed as civilized and a sign of conversion.

Source: Wikipedia 2008.