Hellenic Wine - History & Benefits

Wine has been a staple in the Hellenic culture and diet for thousands of years. The favorable Hellenic soil and climate have allowed the growth of viticulture since the Neolithic Age, followed by its greatest development between the 13th and 11th centuries BCE. 

Wine increased in importance in Ancient Hellas during the Mycenaean Period when it found its way into other aspects of the culture, economy, and religion. In fact, this is the time period where we can find the first references of Dionysius, the god of wine.

Dionysus, the son of God Zeus and the mortal Semele, was worshiped by the ancient Hellenes as the god of the grape harvest, winemaking, wine, fertility, religious ecstasy, and theatre. As wine played an important role in the ancient world, the worship of Dionysus was the main religious focus surrounding its consumption and it was even believed that vines, grapes and wine were an incarnation of him on Earth.

The relationship between ancient Hellenes and wine can also be well demonstrated in literature and poetry. Homer in his ‘Iliad' and ‘Odyssey' mentions wine on several occasions; 

“Wine gives strength to weary men”

“The muses smell of wine and no poem was ever written by a drinker of water.”

“The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken.”

Ancient Hellene philosophers and writers also paid tribute to wine on their works and recorded conversations;

“Nothing more excellent nor more valuable than wine was ever granted mankind by God” Plato

“There is truth in wine and children” Plato

"I like best the wine drunk at the cost of others." Diogenes the Cynic

“Both to the rich and poor, wine is the happy antidote for sorrow.” Euripides

The ancient Hellenes exported wines from Athens and a number of islands such as Thira (Santorini), Crete, Chios, Corfu, and Thassos, while the finest ones were considered to be from Cyprus and Rhodes. Exporting wine played a fundamental role in the financial development of ancient Hellas prompting the regeneration of their economy. 

To this day, wine production and consumption have a strong presence in the Hellenic diet, culture, and economy. Modern Hellenic wine includes many varieties such as Assyrtiko from Santorini, Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko from Peloponnese, and Malagousia from Macedonia. Hellenic wines are very popular in the world of wine lovers and held in high esteem for their quality and unique features.

Wine has been known for its health benefits for millennia. The ancient Hellenes used wine to treat various health conditions while medieval monasteries believed that their monks lived longer than the rest of the population partly because of their moderate, regular consumption of wine. Today, modern science confirms that moderate wine consumption can boost health, help fight or prevent diseases and improve the quality of one’s life.

1.   Longevity

Wine is rich in resveratrol, a compound which increases the activity of sirtuins ( a group of genes that protects the body from diseases of aging. It’s no coincidence that the oldest people in the world reside in the Hellenic island of Ikaria and follow the Mediterranean diet, which includes, among other things,  moderate consumption of wine. 

2.   Protection against cancer

Wine, and particularly red wine, is rich in antioxidants which combat the free radicals that allow cancer to thrive. Studies have shown that a glass of red wine a day can reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. 

3.  Cognitive function

Resveratrol has been shown to help keep the blood vessels open and flexible and thus maintaining a good supply of blood to the brain. As a result, moderate consumption of wine can protect the brain from dementia while slowing the onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

4.  Heart Health

Wine is extremely beneficial to the heart in more than one ways. The tannins found in red wine contain procyanidins that have been shown to aid in preventing cardiovascular disease. At the same time, resveratrol helps balance cholesterol levels and thus reduce plaque accumulation in the blood vessels.

5.  Immune system protection

Wine has been used as a cold remedy for centuries. Modern science confirms that moderate consumption of wine, due to its high content of antioxidants, can boost the immune system,  help lower inflammation and reduce the symptoms of colds.

6.  Prevent strokes

Wine, particularly red wine, contains phenols that act as a natural blood thinner, breaking up any blood clots that could lead to a stroke. Meanwhile,  studies have found that resveratrol found in red grape skins could protect against stroke when the grapes were turned into wine.

7.  Reduced risk of depression

Wine may be considered a temporary mood enhancer but it can also have long term benefits to one’s state of mind. Studies have shown that consuming between two and seven glasses of wine each week decreases the risk of depression, even after taking lifestyle factors into consideration.

As the ancient Hellenes would say “Παν μετρον αριστον” (Everything in moderation). The key to extracting all the miraculous benefits of wine is, as in everything, moderation.