What
does drinking wine mean in different countries?
The
topic of my blog does not indicate my addiction to drinking J but just a thought that meandered in my
mind after I got the privilege of attending a bureaucrat party yesterday with
my close relative. Men in neatly ironed
suits, expensive watches around their wrists and women clad in cocktail dresses
with their shining diamond earring walked past me but what caught my attention
is the beautiful sleek glass with red and golden colored liquid that depicted
India’s growing cosmopolitan culture. The curious cat in me could not rest, so
I wondered Is drinking wine just a formality or there’s more to it which led to
me researching on the wine culture across the globe and what I learnt is a much
wider perspective on my subject.
History of wine spans thousands of years and is closely intertwined
with the history of agriculture, cuisine, civilization and humanity itself.Archaeological
evidence suggests that the earliest known wine production occurred in what is
now known as the country of
Iran around 7000 BC and today every nation has its own concept of
wine drinking.
A
symbol of wealth and being cultured in CHINA
In
China, drinking wine has become a sign of being cultured and of wealth. Red and
white wine is often served chilled in small quantities and in a Chinese
banquet, it’s not unusual for someone to propose a toast in the traditional
form of gan bei where a whole glass could be finished at once.
Completes
the meal in FRANCE
France is the biggest wine producers in the world
and therefore it is regarded customary to drink wine in France. Wine is
considered to be healthy for the heart in addition to being a great way to
accompany a meal! French take sweet white wine with white meats and dry red
wine with red meat.
Nourishment
for the ITALIANS
Wine
drinking is an important aspect of the Italian culture. Considered as nourishment
to the Italians, it was used often as a supplement to the diet of the lower
classes that needed additional calories, which were provided by the wine. Among
youth in Italy, males drink more often than females, and wine is most often
drunk at home with the family.
Social
Affair in Spain
In
Spain, many consider meals to be incomplete without wine. Spain believes in
“proper drinking” wherein a person knows when and how to drink. The country is known
for its bar culture and therefore drinking too becomes a social affair.
Country
of women winers-Germany
Due
to the northerly location of the German vineyards, the country has produced
outstanding quality wines. Wine is the second most popular drink in the country
after beer. In Germany, women drink more wine as compared to men who prefer
beer over wine.
Whether
it’s a family or a social affair, the importance of wine has evolved over time
and across the globe it has different importance, changing from an important
source of nutrition to a cultural complement to food and a healthy lifestyle.
-Preeti Nair, Contributing author
