The Archaic period

By the Archaic period, in the 7th century BC, winegrowing has spread throughout the Greek realm since both climate and soil favor it. As the cult of Dionysus continued to gain ground, the Dionysian celebrations gave birth to dramatic poetry, theater, and ancient Greek tragedy. Old winemaking techniques continue to spread and new ones appear such as sun-drying grapes, and adding fragrant plants, herbs, and honey to wine to scent it, together with resin to preserve it. Attica, Thassos, Naxos, and Rhodes are large winegrowing areas. In the Archaic period (700-480 BC), the need to safely transport wine led to the growth of the art of ceramics and the crafting of amphorae which were destined to replace the wine pouches used until that time for sea transport of wine. Pottery blossomed, rendering exquisite examples of different types of wine vessels made specifically for consuming and enjoying wine. During the 6th century BC, Greek wines became popular and were highly acclaimed. Demand for Greek wines would increasingly rise, leading to a burst of quality and commercial activity, especially on the eastern Aegean islands such as Chios and Lesvos. During that same time period, “wine coinage” is minted, with the coins depicting a variety of winegrowing symbols. Laden with amphorae of wine from the Aegean islands and the continental coastline, the Greek seafaring vessels would not only export Greek wines but they would also diffuse the Greek culture whose language, religion, origin, and wine culture was gradually being adopted by the city-states, thus confirming the rule that “wine equals culture”.