The document traces the origins and spread of wine production and trade in the Mediterranean region from 8000 BC onwards. It notes the earliest evidence of winemaking in Mesopotamia around 8000 BC, and the domestication of grapes in Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece by 3000 BC. From 1500 BC, the Phoenicians developed extensive trade networks along the Mediterranean and introduced vines and winemaking to areas like Spain, helping to establish vineyards across Greece between 1500-1000 BC.

2. “ the peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from
barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and
the vine” - Thucydides

3. Timeline of Mediterranean Wine Trade
 8000BC – Earliest signs of wine production in
Mesopotamia
 6500BC – Wine production in Macedonia
 6000BC – First signs of a winery in Mesopotamia
 3000BC – Domestic grapes grown in Egypt ,
Mesopotamia and Greece

4. Timeline of Mediterranean Wine Trade
 1500BC – Phoenicians begin trading along the
Mediterranean Sea
 1500-1000BC – Vineyards begin to be planted
throughout Greece
 900-800BC – Phoenicians plant vines and teach
winemaking through Spain
 400-300BC – Wine becomes a main commodity and
modern winemaking techniques are used as
experimentation with wine begins

5. Mesopotamia
 Mesopotamia was Greek for ‘the land between the two
rivers’
 These rivers were the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
 This area is now known as Iraq
 There are signs of the first wines being produced in
this region from 8000BC
 Evidence of the first winery during 6000BC

6. Mesopotamia

7. Phoenicia
 Phoenicia created a maritime trading civilisation along
the coastline of what is now Lebanon
 The Phoenicians began the trade of wine along with
wood, glass and Tyrian purple dye
 The use of amphorae or ‘Canaanite jar’ to carry wine
was spread to different regions via trading

8. Phoenicia

9. Phoenician Trading Routes

10. Egypt
 Wine and vines were introduced to Egyptians from
Mesopotamia and Phoenicia
 The best wine growing region was in the Delta
 Wine was predominantly produced for kings and
tombs were decorated with scenes of winemaking
 Winemaking techniques were
used more frequently in this era
 Evidence of trellising systems
has also been found

11. Egypt

12. Greece
 Have been producing wine for over 6000 years
 Introduced vines to France, Italy, Spain
 Created the first labels on amphorae which included
the variety, winemaker and location

13. Greek Trading Routes

14. Resources
 Spiliotopoulos, K. (2013). Greek wine history. Retrieved on 12 August
2013 from http://www.nestorimports.com/greek-wine-history/
 Wine in ancient Egypt. (n.d.). Retrieved on 12 August 2013 from
http://www.vinaspora.com/EN/about_wine/index.php?artId=102
 Poe, M. (2011). Wine in acient Egypt. Retrieved on 12 August 2013 from
http://www.touregypt.net/egypt-info/magazine-mag11012000-
magf2.htm
 Wikipedia. (n.d.). Phoenicia. Retrieved on 12 August 2013 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicia#High_point:_1200.E2.80.9380
0.C2.A0BC
 Gore, R. (n.d.). Who were the phoenicians? Retrieved on 12 August 2013
from tp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature2/map.html
 Map of Mesopotamia Retrieved on 12 August 2013 from
http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/map01mes.htm
 History of Wine I: From Ancient Times to Enlightment. (2010).
Retrieved on July 27, 2013 from
http://www.tapchiruouvang.com/en/learn-wine-detail/83/history-of-
wine-i-from-ancient-times-to-the-enlightment/