'''Learn about the origin, production and storage of wine in ancient [[Egypt]].'''
'''Learn about the origin, production and storage of wine in ancient [[Egypt]].'''
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|-|A Gift From Horus=
|-|A Gift From Horus=
[[File:DTAE - Figurine of Seth and Nephthys.png|thumb|250px|Seth and his companion Nephthys / 13th Century BCE]]
When the god [[Horus]] lost his eye in a war with [[Seth|Set]], the ancient Egyptians believe the eye turned into a vine, and the vine's tears became wine.
When the god [[Horus]] lost his eye in a war with [[Seth|Set]], the ancient Egyptians believe the eye turned into a vine, and the vine's tears became wine.
A millennia-old tradition, grape cultivation and wine production was regimented in the way typical of ancient Egyptian bureaucracy.
A millennia-old tradition, grape cultivation and wine production was regimented in the way typical of ancient Egyptian bureaucracy.
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|-|Protected Designation=
|-|Protected Designation=
[[File:DTAE - New Kingdom Wine Jar.png|thumb|250px|Wine jar / New Kingdom]]
Documentation shows that only certain craftsfolk were allowed to provide the containers required to store and transport wine.
Documentation shows that only certain craftsfolk were allowed to provide the containers required to store and transport wine.
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|-|A Taste for Quality=
|-|A Taste for Quality=
Egyptians had different kinds of wines, most of which ranged in quality from good to very good. The sweet shedeh, to which honey had been added. The soft nedjem, obtained by drying the grapes in the sun. The maa, reserved for religious cerimonies.
[[File:DTAE - Scene of wine and papyrus for treasures of Amun.png|thumb|250px|Wine and Papyrus for the Treasures of Amun, Tomb of Rekhmire / New Kingdom]]
Egyptians had different kinds of wines, most of which ranged in quality from good to very good. The sweet shedeh, to which honey had been added. The soft nedjem, obtained by drying the grapes in the sun. The maa, reserved for religious ceremonies.
And finally there was the paour, the mediocre-rated wine, resulting from the second pressing of grapes and reserved for a less discerning palate.
And finally there was the paour, the mediocre-rated wine, resulting from the second pressing of grapes and reserved for a less discerning palate.
Latest revision as of 14:23, 13 January 2023
Learn about the origin, production and storage of wine in ancient Egypt.
Seth and his companion Nephthys / 13th Century BCE
When the god Horus lost his eye in a war with Set, the ancient Egyptians believe the eye turned into a vine, and the vine's tears became wine.
Early texts dating back to 3150 BCE contain the hieroglyph for wine.
Regarded as extremely valuable, wine was highly sought after by the elite. It was also an essential part of many religious ceremonies.
Wine harvest scene, tomb Paheri / New Kingdom
A millennia-old tradition, grape cultivation and wine production was regimented in the way typical of ancient Egyptian bureaucracy.
Egyptians kept careful records of winemakers, which they clearly identified on labels.
Every land owner with a modicum of self-respect usually kept a vineyard. This held particularly true in the regions of the Faiyum and the Nile Delta.
Wine jar / New Kingdom
Documentation shows that only certain craftsfolk were allowed to provide the containers required to store and transport wine.
That and rigorous quality control checks established for every step of wine production shows that ancient Egypttians knew that the quality and longevity of wine could easily be affected by any number of variables, which they paid careful attention to.
Wine and Papyrus for the Treasures of Amun, Tomb of Rekhmire / New Kingdom
Egyptians had different kinds of wines, most of which ranged in quality from good to very good. The sweet shedeh, to which honey had been added. The soft nedjem, obtained by drying the grapes in the sun. The maa, reserved for religious ceremonies.
And finally there was the paour, the mediocre-rated wine, resulting from the second pressing of grapes and reserved for a less discerning palate.