The history of wine is the history of civilisation.
It is the religious drink par excellence. In Greek mythology, references to wine abound. In the Bible, after the Flood, Noah plants a vineyard. In the Middle Ages, it was in the monasteries and churches that the syrupy drink of antiquity, unpalatable if not diluted, was transformed into the wine we know today.
Wine expert Benoist Simmat and artist Daniel Casanave trace the story of wine from its origins in the Mediterranean to the globalised industry of the 21st century. Taking in the innovations that have punctuated wine's long history, from oak barrel aging to the invention of the bottle, Wine: A Graphic History will leave readers with a fresh view of our own drinking culture.
Wine: A Graphic History uncorks the 8,000¿year story of humanity's most storied drink in an appealing graphic format.
In crisp, witty panels, writer Benoist Simmat and artist Daniel Casanave trace how a simple fermented grape juice shaped empires, monasteries, trade routes, and dinner tables-while evolving into the global culture we recognize today.
Lively, accessible, and meticulously researched, Wine: A Graphic History is the perfect pour for curious newcomers, seasoned enthusiasts, food lovers, and graphic¿nonfiction readers alike-a delicious blend of history lesson, tasting primer, and cultural tour.
Beginning with the first experiments in the Caucasus and the Mediterranean, the book follows wine through classical Greece and Rome, the monastic refinements of medieval Europe, and the birth of modern regions and appellations. Along the way, it demystifies the fundamentals-grape varieties, terroir, fermentation, aging, and taste-so readers understand why wines differ and how to appreciate them.
The narrative then fast¿forwards into the revolutions that changed your glass: phylloxera and grafting, the rise of Champagne and sparkling techniques, the spread to the New World, and today's debates over biodynamics, organics, orange wine, sulfites, cork vs. screw cap, and climate change. Smart callouts and visual timelines make complex topics instantly legible and memorable.
