That's Wine! - Ancient World

The small area of the Cyprus island holds within it the blend of different cultures: Greek, Turkish, and British. All of these influences have shaped the country's winemaking history. However, not so many people know that Cyprus's standout feature - the sweet Commandaria wine - holds the title of the oldest recognized appellation in the world, long before Burgundy or Bordeaux. Let's take a journey to explore how the biggest players in the wine industry named the "Big Four" shaped the country's winemaking industry and how small wineries gradually took the spotlight. We will uncover the bond between the rediscovery of native grape varieties, passionate winemakers, and the church as well as discover how the division of the island into "Turkish" and "Greek" sides influenced winemaking.

Winemaking in Greece is an integral part of the country. It was praised in the mythology and poems of ancient Greek writers, making it an essential component of a great civilization. We will learn how ancient wine, with the addition of resin, became the hallmark of modern Greek winemaking - simultaneously evolving into both a curse and a blessing. Our journey will lead us to the sunny tourist island of Santorini, where the interplay of volcanic soil and a specialized vineyard care system has bestowed a contemporary identity upon the Greek wine industry. Further exploration will take us to the vineyards of Mount Athos, an exceptional monastic settlement, where we will bear witness to the profound significance of winemaking in this unique locale. The episode takes a dramatic turn as it unveils the story of the courageous winemaker Iliana Malikhin, who undertook the revival of ancient 300-year-old vines destroyed by fire.

In Armenia, the world's oldest winery has been discovered - an ancient cave with preserved clay vessels for wine, known as "karas." These Armenian karases have become a symbol of the revival of winemaking in the country. During the Soviet era, Armenia became a leader in producing the famous "Armenian cognac," which caused winemaking traditions to fade. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenian diaspora businessmen started returning to the country, infusing new life into winemaking. Karas Winery laid the foundation for this renaissance, while the energetic Armenian from Italy, Zorik Garibian, resurrected ancient grape varieties and began vinifying them in karases. The theme of the resilient spirit of Armenians unfolds in a small winery from Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian region within the territory of Azerbaijan. This winery was compelled to start anew after being displaced due to another military conflict in the region.

Winemaking in Lebanon traces its roots back to the times of the Phoenicians, who were the first to export wine throughout the Mediterranean. It was thanks to the Phoenicians that winemaking emerged in modern-day Greece, Italy, and Cyprus. The ancient Romans built the Castle of Bacchus in the fertile Bekaa Valley, extolling the fertility of Lebanese soil. In the Lebanese episode, we will delve into the history of Lebanon's "oldest modern winery" and its French heritage. We will uncover how, during the bloody civil war era, Lebanese winemaking found its way to the export market. Furthermore, we will learn about how small wineries grew in significance despite new wars, a devastating explosion, and economic collapse in the country.

From biblical times, wine has held a significant role in the daily life of the Holy Land. In the present day, Israel stands as one of the most contradictory and intricate nations, with these very contradictions finding their expression within the wine cultures of both Israeli and Palestinian territories. Our journey will immerse us in the narrative of the region's initial major wineries, as well as its earliest family-run establishments. We will acquaint ourselves with the principles governing an orthodox winery that produces kosher wine, and we will venture into the unparalleled setting of a winery nestled within an arid desert. Through this exploration, we will trace the pursuit of a winemaking identity via the revival of ancient local grape varieties, a feat achieved by Palestinian cultivators, and scrutinize the feasibility of fostering dialogue in disputed territories through the winemaking.

Georgia rightfully claims the title of being the cradle of world winemaking, boasting an impressive cultural and historical heritage spanning 8000 years. Wine has always been an intrinsic aspect of every Georgian's life, earning it the colloquial label of "part of the blood of every Georgian." A unique facet of Georgian winemaking lies in the ancient technique of producing wine in qvevris - big clay vessels that are buried in the ground. Our journey will lead us to explore qvevri production and amber wine, a contemporary global trend that has always been deeply intertwined with Georgian tradition. We will delve into the gradual erosion of Georgian winemaking traditions due to the Soviet legacy, and how modern Georgian winemaking is on a quest to define its identity pursuing international export opportunities while circumventing the Russian market. Furthermore, we will know abouat the cultivation of a new generation of talented female winemakers within a patriarchal society.