Although the first vineyards can be traced back as far as 4,000 BC to the shores of the Caspian and Mesopotamia, the Minoans of Crete hold the title of the world's first winemakers. Archaeological finds have revealed wine presses, amphorae, and well cellars in Minoan settlements.

It was in Ancient Greece that the first classification system for vineyards was drawn up, with wines from Chios, Samos, and Lesbos held in great esteem. Many wines had their own seals indicating the existence of an Appellation of Origin, as witnessed by amphorae from Thasos and inscriptions from Pella.

The very thought of adding thyme, cinnamon, or spearmint to your fine wine may sound like a sacrilege, but the ancient Greeks held their wines sacred, even conducting wine tastings! It may be a bit far-fetched to consider the symposia – philosophical meetings accompanied by wine – as the wine tastings of the time, but certainly wine played a central part in these.

From Greece to Italy and from there to the rest of Europe, wine experienced a blossoming during the Middle Ages. Dom Perignon may even to this day be known as the "star" of wine, but there were many thousands of anonymous monks who laid the foundations for today’s quality wines.

Settlers leaving for the New World took the arts of viticulture and winemaking with them. Today, wine production is characterized by scientific approach and the use of ultra-modern technology at all stages. Contemporary wineries may look like the set for Star Trek but wine will always have its beginnings in the humble earth...