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The Oldest Bottle of Wine: A Tale of Time, Taste, and Fascination
Have you ever wondered what the oldest bottle of wine in the world tastes like? How long could wine last, if stored properly? What kind of stories and legends surround ancient wines? In this blog post, we will explore the history, science, and experience of tasting the oldest known wine bottle, found in Germany in 1867 and opened in 1945. We will also discuss how the wine world values and preserves old wines, and what insights we can gain from them.
Introduction: The mystery and allure of old wines
Wine is not only a delightful beverage, but also a complex and intriguing cultural artifact. As a fermented product of grapes, wine reflects not only the terroir and techniques of its production, but also the history and traditions of its makers and drinkers. Wine can be a symbol of status, hospitality, celebration, or communion, and can connect us to both our ancestral and contemporary heritage. Wine can also challenge us to understand and appreciate the mystery and allure of time, as wine evolves and ages in the bottle or barrel.
Old wines, especially those that survive for centuries or even millennia, are rare and fascinating samples of the past, preserved in glass and liquid form. Old wines can reveal not only the flavors and aromas of the grapes and the aging process, but also the context and story of their production and storage. Old wines can also provoke questions and discussions about the ethics, authenticity, and value of preserving and consuming such precious and fragile artifacts. In short, old wines can be both a pleasure and a puzzle.
Part 1: The history and discovery of the oldest wine bottle
The story of the oldest wine bottle in the world starts in Germany, in the city of Speyer, where a Romanesque cathedra was built in the 11th century to honor the Holy Trinity. In the crypt of the cathedral, a collection of relics and treasures from the past was kept, including a wooden chest that contained a dozen wine bottles. The chest had been sealed in 1594 and was not opened until 1867, when the crypt was renovated. Among the bottles, a curate discovered one that was different from the others, after breaking the fragile cork with a screwdriver.
The bottle was made of green glass, had a globular shape, a short neck, and a capacity of about 1.5 liters. The bottle also had several inscriptions and symbols etched on the sides, which suggested that it might be a rare and valuable artifact. The inscriptions included the year 325, the name of Christ, and the word “Faex” (which means “lees”, or the sediment of grapes after fermentation). The symbols included a fish, a peacock, a vine, and a bunch of grapes. The curate realized that he had found a bottle that was said to contain the oldest wine in the world, a wine that had been made during the reign of Constantine the Great, by Saint Martin of Tours himself.
Saint Martin of Tours was a famous bishop and missionary who lived in the 4th century and was known for his miracles and charity. One legend about him tells how he was hosted by a pagan host who offered him a glass of wine, but Martin refused it, seeing a vision of the devil in the cup. However, the host insisted, and Martin blessed the cup, after which the wine turned into water, and the devil fled. Another legend about Saint Martin tells how he once gave half of his cloak to a beggar, who turned out to be Christ in disguise. After this event, Saint Martin became a symbol of generosity and compassion, and his cult spread throughout Europe.
The wine that Saint Martin allegedly made or blessed became a precious relic, and various Christian communities claimed to possess it or parts of it. Some claimed that the wine had miraculous powers, such as healing or enhancing fertility. Some claimed that the wine had been made from grapes that Jesus himself had blessed or had grown in Eden. Some claimed that the wine had been kept secret and safe for centuries, in hidden places or in the hands of secret societies. Some claimed that the wine was a symbol of the continuity and purity of the Christian faith, from the time of Christ to the time of the finders.
However, the reality of the oldest wine bottle and its contents is not so clear-cut or miraculous. The inscription “325” refers to the year of the Council of Nicaea, which did not concern wine, but rather the nature of Christ and the creed of the church. The name of Christ was a common and popular symbol in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, especially after the invention of printing. The word “Faex” was probably a mistaken reading or interpretation of another similar word that meant “goods”, or simply a mark of the bottling process. The symbols on the bottle were also common Christian motifs, showing the Trinity, the Resurrection, the Eucharist, and the vineyards. The bottle itself was not made in the 4th century, but probably in the 16th century, when green glass was popular and affordable.
What the bottle did contain, however, was some kind of wine or beverage that had been made and bottled in the centuries after Christ. The wine was probably made from local grape varieties, and was likely sweet and fortified, to survive the long voyage and storage. The wine was also likely transformed by time and temperature changes, and was no longer drinkable as a fresh and fruity wine. The wine was an artifact of the historical and cultural evolution of wine production and appreciation, and of the religious and social contexts that shaped and sanctified its symbolic value.
Part 2: The science and tasting of the oldest wine bottle
The oldest wine bottle ever discovered and tasted, therefore, was not a miraculous or valuable artifact in terms of its origin or symbolism, but rather a scientific and cultural curiosity in terms of its physical and sensory properties. The wine was opened and tasted in 1945, by a team of experts from the State Chemical Laboratory of Berlin, who analyzed the wine and described its characteristics. The tasting was not a ceremonial or festive occasion, but rather a serious and sober experiment, that aimed to explore the chemistry and microbiology of aged wines.
The analysis of the wine showed that it had an alcohol content of about 14%, which is high compared to modern table wines, but not uncommon for fortified wines. The wine also had a residual sugar content of about 4%, which is relatively low compared to some dessert or sweet wines, but still noticeable. The wine had a dark brown color, and a sediment that contained various organic and inorganic particles, such as yeast cells, bacteria, tartaric acid crystals, and calcium salts. The wine had a volatile acidity of about 1.2 grams per liter, which is higher than usual for fresh wines, but lower than the threshold for spoilage or acetification. The wine had a pH of about 3.2, which is low but not unusual for red wines.
The aroma and taste of the wine, according to the tasters, were complex and intriguing. The wine had a bouquet of leather, mushroom, and honey, which are characteristic of aged wines, but also hints of herbal and floral notes, which were surprising. The wine also had a strong and persistent sweetness, which was balanced by a sharp and acidic finish. The wine had a nutty and pungent aftertaste, which was unusual and memorable. The tasters noted that the wine was not very harmonious or well-rounded, and that it lacked some of the freshness and fruitiness of younger wines. However, the tasters also acknowledged that the wine was not unpleasant or undrinkable, and that it showed some signs of complexity and stability.
The experience of tasting the oldest wine bottle in the world, therefore, was not only a matter of tasting the wine per se, but also a matter of tasting history, science, and culture. Tasting the wine was a way of connecting with the past and the present of wine, and of exploring the mysteries and possibilities of ageing and preservation. Tasting the wine was also a way of facing the limits and complications of preserving and valuing old wines, and of learning from the knowledge and the mistakes of the past. Tasting the wine, in short, was a pleasure and a puzzle.
Part 3: The ethics and value of old wines
The story of the oldest wine bottle in the world raises several ethical and economic questions about the value and preservation of old wines. On the one hand, old wines can be seen as cultural treasures and historical artifacts that deserve to be studied and admired, as well as to be shared and enjoyed. Old wines can also represent the continuity and diversity of wine cultures and traditions, and can inspire new ideas and tastes. Old wines can also contribute to the sense of identity and heritage of wine regions and communities, and can foster tourism and education.
On the other hand, old wines can also be seen as luxury goods that serve mainly the elite and the wealthy, rather than the common public or the wine industry. Old wines can also represent a form of exploitation and destruction of natural resources and agricultural labor, as well as a threat to biodiversity and sustainability. Old wines can also pose health and safety risks, if stored improperly, or if consumed excessively. Old wines can also fuel the market of fakes and frauds, as well as the anxiety and hype of collectors and investors.
Therefore, the conservation and consumption of old wines requires a balanced and responsible approach, that takes into account the historical, cultural, and scientific values of such wines, as well as the social, economic, and environmental impacts of such practices. Old wines should be preserved and studied for their intrinsic and extrinsic values, as well as for the benefit of future generations. Old wines should also be shared and tasted in a way that respects their rarity and fragility, and that enhances their educational and cultural potential. Old wines should also be subject to ethical and legal norms that ensure their authenticity and safety, and that prevent their exploitation and abuse.
Conclusion: The fascination and challenge of old wines
The oldest wine bottle in the world, even if not a miraculous or valuable artifact, remains a fascinating and inspiring example of the power and mystery of wine. Wine can connect us to the past and the present, to the physical and the sensory, to the social and the cultural. Wine can also challenge us to reflect on our values and choices, on our ethics and responsibility, on our knowledge and ignorance. Wine can also bring us joy and wonder, as well as humility and respect.
The oldest wine bottle in the world, then, is not only a tale of time and taste, but also a tale of fascination and challenge. Whether we are experts or amateurs, whether we prefer young or old wines, whether we seek pleasure or knowledge, we can all appreciate and learn from the meaning and the beauty of wine. So, let us raise a glass to the oldest wine bottle in the world, and to the diversity and richness of the wine world that it represents!
### The Oldest Wine Bottle: A Recap
– The oldest wine bottle in the world was discovered in Speyer, Germany in 1867 inside a wooden chest within a Cathedral.
– The bottle supposedly dates back to the 4th century and contained wine that was made during the reign of Constantine the Great by Saint Martin of Tours.
– The wine wasn’t what the stories made it out to be, but it did have an alcohol content of 14%, a residual sugar content of 4%, high volatile acidity and a pH of 3.2. It was a deep brown color with a delicate bouquet of leather, mushroom, and honey. On the palate it revealed herbal and floral notes, strong and persistent sweetness, a sharp acidic finish with a nutty and pungent aftertaste.
– Preserving and consuming old wines requires a balanced and responsible approach that considers the historical, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of such practices.
If you’re interested in the flavors and aromas of aged wines, you may be interested in exploring wine tasting terms in depth or unlocking the mysteries of terroir. Whether you’re an aspiring connoisseur or a curious beginner, the world of wine never ceases to amaze!
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