Poetry Bottled: The Story of Wine

November is a festive month for wine enthusiasts. The spotlight falls on Beaujolais Nouveau, a young wine released each November amid great anticipation and excitement. Its annual debut has become a cultural celebration that brings people together across the globe. Likewise, wine is more than just a seasonal drink — it embodies shared joy and carries countless stories worth sharing. This month, the Sungkyun Times (SKT) invites Kingos to explore not only the culture behind wine but also the art of savoring a glass of fine wine yourself.

The Wine Journey

Wine, an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grape juice, has captivated taste buds worldwide. Winemaking began in the Caucasus region, which includes countries such as Georgia and Armenia, around 6000 B.C. and gradually spread through the Near East to Mesopotamia and Egypt. Records of ancient wine production appear in tomb paintings, which depict how grapes were grown, harvested, pressed, and stored. From the fertile Nile Delta in Egypt, wine culture spread to Greece and later to Rome. Through this progression, the Romans became experts in viticulture and wine production, establishing vast vineyards throughout their empire. Between the 1st and the 4th centuries, wine acquired sacred significance in Christianity, most notably through the Eucharist, the Holy Communion ceremony commemorating Jesus Christ’s Last Supper. Subsequently, wine eventually found its way into monasteries during the Middle Ages. Monks refined cultivation and fermentation methods and also developed the techniques that helped shape some of Europe’s most famous wine regions, including the Champagne region in France. During the Age of Discovery, wine embarked on a new voyage across oceans. In the early 1500s, Spanish explorers and missionaries brought grapevines to the New World and planted vineyards in the Americas, or parts of what are now Mexico, Peru, and Chile, as they considered wine essential for religious ceremonies. Over time, wine evolved into many different varieties, which can usually be categorized into red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wines — each with a distinct method of production and a unique cultural tradition. This long history underscores wine’s role in shaping key pillars of Western civilization, particularly religion and culture.

More Than a Drink

-The Legacy of Connection

Beyond taste, wine has long been regarded as a symbol of both ritual and revelation. Dionysus in Greek mythology and Bacchus in Roman mythology represented not only wine but also life’s joys, sorrows, and abundance. Festivals held in their honor celebrated freedom, with wine at the heart, breaking down social barriers. Christianity likewise attributed a sacred image to wine: after the Great Flood, Noah is said to have produced the first wine, and Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine. Moreover, during Mass, wine serves to connect worshippers, transforming individual faith into a collective spiritual experience. Beyond the divine, wine has also fostered conversation and social connection. In many ways, it mirrors humanity’s timeless desire for unity and shared meaning. Particularly, in ancient Greece, participants at the symposium often gathered over wine to debate philosophy, poetry, politics, and ethics, as the drink smoothed interactions and sharpened focus. Nowadays, apéritifs and digestifs, wines traditionally served before and after a meal, encourage dialogue and social exchange, illustrating that wine remains symbolic in daily social rituals. Alongside these traditions, wine etiquette has developed over centuries. Today, people hold the glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine, swirl gently to release aromas, and raise it in a toast to show respect and camaraderie. These customs, though simple, enhance the sensory experience and the sense of connection that wine inspires. Ultimately, wine is a bridge linking the past with the present and individuals with one another through a shared, almost magical experience.

-Uncorking the Spirit of Terroir

Wine events are held worldwide, celebrating each region’s unique flavors and offering a taste of local culture. Each wine expresses the essence of its region, a concept known as terroir. Terroir refers to how a wine’s character is shaped by the unique combination of the soil, climate, and landscape where the vines and their grapes grow. Notably, France’s Beaujolais region hosts the Beaujolais Nouveau festival, celebrating the wine’s global release every third Thursday of November at midnight. Originally, locals held the festival to celebrate the new harvest. However, since the 1950s, it has gained international fame for the new wine’s floral notes and the excitement of tasting it just a few weeks after fermentation. During the festival, streets and restaurants are decorated with grapes, attracting tourists and wine enthusiasts from around the world. As a result, the festival significantly boosts the local economy: producers earn 15% to 20% of their annual revenue, nearby businesses benefit from increased sales, and the region’s traditions and culture are showcased. Wine festivals take place across the globe — not only in Europe but also in the New World — highlighting wine as a cultural heritage tied to each region. Thus, wine stands as a living expression of terroir, embodying history, tradition, and collective identity.

A Guide for Wine Beginners

Wine labels carry detailed information that can be used as indicators of what lies inside a bottle. A wine label typically lists vintage, geographic origin, the name of the producer, grape variety, alcohol content, bottling information, quality classifications, awards, and sometimes tasting notes. Each element offers valuable insight: the vintage indicates the year of harvest, important because climate affects flavor; the geographic origin reveals the terroir that shapes the wine’s character; the producer’s name reflects reputation and style; the grape variety helps predict flavor and aroma; and awards or classifications suggest quality. By learning to read these elements, Kingos can make informed choices and appreciate the history and story behind each bottle.

-Mouton Cadet Red

Mouton Cadet Red is a Bordeaux Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine, which means that the grapes come from the Bordeaux region. It is primarily merlot with small amounts of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, making it a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of food. In an interview with the SKT, French sommelier Pierre Vila Palleja explained that the grape varieties are blended in Bordeaux style, characterized by a medium-bodied, supple profile that is clearly influenced by Bordeaux’s climate. It makes a rich fruit bouquet, smooth texture, and balanced tannins, making it approachable for most wine drinkers.

-Los Vascos Chardonnay

Los Vascos Chardonnay is a crisp white wine that is well-balanced, featuring bright fruit flavors and a pleasant acidity overall. Its light body pairs well with foods ranging from seafood to cheese and other lighter fare. Vila Palleja also explained that chardonnay grapes are harvested fresh from the cool, coastal Casablanca Valley region of Chile, so the wine showcases distinct varietal aromas of green apple, pear, and citrus, with subtle nutty notes from the aging process. Produced at the Los Vascos winery, a historic estate in the Colchagua Valley, the wine is a clear expression of the terroir and careful production. It is simply enjoyable, versatile with meals, and consistently produced at excellent quality.

French writer Victor Hugo once said, “God made only water, but man made wine.” Through wine, humanity has learned to communicate, to celebrate, and to connect across time and culture. From sacred rituals to everyday joy, wine continues to shape our shared human story. So, Kingos, why not raise a glass this fall and savor the poetry bottled within — with the SKT’s guide to the world of wine?