Wine has always played a crucial role in the history of humanity, asserting itself as a prominent element in various contexts and a symbol of the interactions between man and the earth.
"Wine is one of the greatest signs of civilization in the world," declared Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s, emphasizing the importance of this beverage in human culture. Its presence in literature is a millennial tale, rooted in the mists of time. Who doesn't know the Latin adage "in vino veritas"? From Plato to Giosuè Carducci, with his evocative lines "and the bubbling of the vats carries the sharp scent of wine to lighten the souls," verses that resonate in the memories of generations of students.
There is no historical era in which wine has not profoundly influenced the daily life of man. Leonardo da Vinci, born in Bacchereto, a region known for producing Carmignano, invited reflection when he said, "and yet I believe that much happiness is found in men who are born where good wines are produced." After moving to Milan, the Tuscan genius sought to engage in grape cultivation, planting a vineyard that is still visitable today.
Greek poetry celebrated the virtues of wine, like Pindar who proclaimed: "Wine elevates the soul and thoughts, and anxieties drift away from the heart of man."
Even science has celebrated wine: Louis Pasteur, the father of modern microbiology, called it "the healthiest and most hygienic of all drinks." And how can we forget the famous Mozart who, in his Don Giovanni, exalted "long live the women, long live the good wine, the support and glory of humanity."
In Tuscany, a land of great winemaking traditions, Dante and Lorenzo de' Medici, with his carefree "Canzona di Bacco", immortalized verses that still resonate today: "Whoever wants to be happy, be: whoever has to be, must be. There is no certainty about tomorrow." Echoing this, Francesco Redi, with his "Bacco in Toscana", can be considered a precursor of modern wine guides.
But wine was not only a source of pleasure and inspiration, but also a therapeutic remedy. The Egyptians used it as a local anesthetic, while the Etruscans exploited its properties to soothe pains caused by dislocations, swellings, and to treat disorders of the spleen and liver.
Hippocrates of Cos, already in the 5th century BC, prescribed wine to treat wounds, combat fever, and as a purgative or diuretic. Galen also extensively documented the preparation of herbal decoctions with wine as a main ingredient.
In the Middle Ages, the Catalan physician Arnaldo Da Villanova, in his "Liber de Vinis", reaffirmed the use of wine for therapeutic purposes, highlighting its antiseptic and strengthening qualities and recommending its use in poultices. He compiled a list of flavored wines effective against various ailments: for example, rosemary wine was indicated for regulating appetite, treating tendons, improving facial appearance, and combating hair loss.
Wine has even entered the world of mathematics. In Irpinia, Professor Luigi Moio, in his winery Quintodecimo, has created a vineyard that follows the Fibonacci sequence, a golden spiral that symbolizes harmony and the cycle of growth and rebirth of the vine.
Ultimately, wine is also absolute beauty and sharing. It should not be drunk just for its alcohol content, but to appreciate its extraordinary complexity. Wine has always been a vehicle of culture, and sipping it is an act of deep and authentic culture.
