All of us, no matter how skeptical we claim to be, have been impacted by folklore at some point in our lives. From those of us who refuse to utter the words “Bloody Mary” in front of the bathroom mirror because we believe in an Urban Legend, to those of us who still lean out a snow-covered window on Christmas Eve hoping to see eight little reindeer, Folklore is part of our lives. And what’s more, folklore seems to have had a hand in all aspects of our culture, with its deft fingers grasping our customs and traditions and adding a new twist.
Not immune to folklore is wine. Wine, having existed throughout the travels of time, comes with its own legends and stories. Whether the tales are true or not, we will probably never know. But, most likely, they are based on some truth. And, the chances are even greater, the stories will become more believable with each glass of wine consumed.
So grab a glass and enjoy the wine tradition. It is Folklore that has had some.
women invented wine
The male species is credited with inventing both the wheel and fire, and we can probably attribute farts and burps to them as well. Therefore, it seems only fair that, in tradition, women are credited with a great invention, the invention of wine.
According to Persian legend, wine was invented when a woman suffering from a headache drank fermented juice from a jar used to store grapes. After consumption, she relaxed and felt comfortable, finally fell asleep and woke up cured.
However, it is believed in Greek mythology that wine was invented by Dionysus, appropriately called the God of wine, intoxication, and fertility (the combination of intoxication and fertility can probably explain the Greek population boom). As was commonly accepted, he invented wine on Mount Nyssa and soon began to grow grapes all over the world.
While the Persians and Greeks disagree on who invented wine, they are both likely to breathe a sigh of relief that at least someone did.
Aware of the invention: the wine glass
Usually we probably don’t care about the history of the wine glass, focusing more on what’s inside. But according to legend, the invention of the wine glass was a little more unique than the typical run-of-the-mill appearance at the US Patent Office.
It is rumored that since Greek mythology, the first cup of wine was molded from the chest of Helen of Troy. Since the Greeks believed that there was something very sensual in the essence of wine, they wanted the cup that held it to be molded from the breast of the most beautiful woman in their culture.
However, in what may have been one of the first cat fights in history, Marie Antoinette, centuries later, decided that she would create a new glass, molded from her own breasts. But, because Marie Antoinette was better endowed than Helen of Troy, the wine cup went from the equivalent of an A cup to a D cup, changing the shape of the cup entirely and ultimately changing the amount of wine. that would fit in a cup. .
Red Bearded Emperor
We all know that red wine can stain. But, what we may not know is that its ability to stain ultimately led to the offspring of white wine in Burgundy. According to Burgundian legend, an emperor named Charlemagne was an avid drinker of red wine for most of his life. However, the more red wine he drank, the more red wine fell on his beard, leaving his beard naturally white, well, burgundy. He felt that the appearance was not what an emperor should possess, so he began switching to white wine, demanding that a portion of the Corton Hill vineyards be replanted with white grapes. This is how, ultimately, Corton-Charlemagne found its way into the world of wine.
german superstitions
Germany, a nation known for its fine wines, also possesses fine wine superstitions, believing that certain things can wreak havoc on its vineyards and cellars. In a town called Varnhalt, located near the historic state of Baden in southwestern Germany, a tradition that has been passed down through generations of winemakers perpetuates the belief that the last grape harvest of the growing season should be brought home in a cart pulled by ox year. If brought home in any other way, the vintage will be filled with sour grapes, producing undrinkable wine.
Furthermore, the Germans also believe that when someone dies, the wine in the cellar should be shaken almost immediately. If left unstirred, stored wine will turn sour.
When in Rome, don’t spill wine
Everyone has always lived with the idea that there is no use crying over spilled milk. Spilled wine, on the other hand, is another story. The Romans believed that inadvertently spilling wine was an omen of disaster, as sinister as coming across a black cat or a snake falling from a roof into a courtyard. When the wine fell on the floor or on a table, bad things – a storm, a plague, a betrayal by Brutus – were imminent.
In fact, this is a belief that many people generally hold. Maybe it’s because it has some validity or maybe because spilling wine is wasting wine and therefore bad luck in itself.
However, spilling wine, when done on purpose, is believed to bring luck. The breaking of a full glass of wine is generally considered a good omen when performed in marriages. A symbol of a happy life, this act will lead to unwavering love and affection.
The wine tradition is undoubtedly a part of our culture. Because wine is essential to history, it is natural that legends, stories and superstitions come with it, packed in the bottle of each vintage. Because wine is so magical, having its tradition in our lives has the potential to replace other types of folklore: who needs a Bloody Mary when you can have a glass of wine?