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Hey there tribe folx.
Ive had a question burning in my brain for a few months now.
The greeks describe drinking their wine watered down,and as well describe that severe inhebriation occurs when this isnt done,even with a reference(which i cant find) to a person dieing from this.
This would to me imply that the wine was not simply fermented grapes,and that in some cases other substances were mixed with the wine.
Has anybody here come acros any refereces to wine contents other than grapes in the greco-roman world.Ive also heard of references to honey and sweet lead oxide being mixed in as well, but cant find any solid refereces.
Any data is greatly apreciated
Vale et atque amicis me
Ive had a question burning in my brain for a few months now.
The greeks describe drinking their wine watered down,and as well describe that severe inhebriation occurs when this isnt done,even with a reference(which i cant find) to a person dieing from this.
This would to me imply that the wine was not simply fermented grapes,and that in some cases other substances were mixed with the wine.
Has anybody here come acros any refereces to wine contents other than grapes in the greco-roman world.Ive also heard of references to honey and sweet lead oxide being mixed in as well, but cant find any solid refereces.
Any data is greatly apreciated
Vale et atque amicis me
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Re: greek wine question
Fri, January 6, 2006 - 11:05 AMHm, I always thought that mixing was done not so much for the alcohol content as because the wine was tannic and sedimented, 'press wine' basically; did the Greeks do any drainage at all? Fermentation was done in open vats I believe, and then stored in amphorae, I think the wine would have to be drunk very young or it would spoil.
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Re: greek wine question
Sat, January 7, 2006 - 12:09 PMI haven't read any documentation, but we had a discussion on this in my ancient trade lecture. The proper dilution is four parts water to one part wine, so as to be able to drink more without messing yourself up. Also, the Greeks like to flavor the wine as you said. some other "spices" were tar, sawdust, ochre, and a whole range of unpleasant concoctions. Hope this helps.
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Re: greek wine question
Sat, January 7, 2006 - 12:48 PMYou might want to take a look at _Courtesans and Fishcakes_ by James Davidson. I haven't seen anything about other intoxicating substances mixed with wine, but yes, plenty of flavoring agents and water. -
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Re: greek wine question
Sat, January 7, 2006 - 6:38 PM^^
I second that book reccomendation. The first chapter is dense, rambling and a little irrelevant, but the rest of the book is absolutly facinating. -
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Unsu...
Re: greek wine question
Fri, February 3, 2006 - 8:59 AMIt is believed by some archaeologists that the oracle at Delphi used wine mixed with honey from certain areas. There is a type of rhododendron that grows in that part of the Mediterranean that can be highly toxic and hallucinogenic if honey made from it's pollen is in any way imbibed.
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