From ancient rituals to grand celebrations, wine has always been more than just a drink—it’s a reflection of civilization itself, shaped by the craftsmanship and preferences of each era. Whether poured from Roman amphorae or aged in medieval monks’ barrels, every period in history has left its mark on how wine is made and enjoyed.

And the story’s far from over. Every vintage, every blend is another step in this long tradition. At Xavier Vignon, we don’t just follow the rules—we play with them, mixing time-honoured know-how with a spirit of innovation to push the boundaries of what great wine can be.

But to really get the why wine tastes the way it does today, let’s rewind the tape a little. What did the Romans sip on? How did medieval monks reshape winemaking? And most importantly—how does all this history still end up in our glasses?

Ready for a trip down the history of wine? 

Wine in Antiquity: The birth of taste

Winemaking isn’t exactly a modern invention… The first traces of vinification go back more than 7,000 years to Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. But let’s be honest—ancient wine was probably nothing like what we drink today. Think rough, powerful, acidic, and seriously tannic. Balance and finesse? Not exactly a priority back then!

And people weren’t sipping it just for the pleasure of tasting, either. Wine had a much more practical (and sometimes sacred) role—it was the star of religious rituals and aristocratic feasts. In Egypt, it flowed at offerings to the gods and funeral ceremonies. In Greece, it took center stage at the famous symposia, lively banquets where wine, music, and philosophy mixed freely. Even back then, wine was more than just a drink—it was a symbol of power, culture, and status.

A drink with a twist: Spices, honey, and resin

Ancient wine had its fair share of flaws—quick oxidation, sharp acidity, and sometimes even a hint of clay from those amphorae. But our ancestors weren’t about to let that ruin their drinking experience. Instead of sipping something harsh and unrefined, they got creative, tweaking their wine with pine resin, honey, herbs, and spices. Cinnamon, saffron, thyme, myrrh… everyone had their own secret recipe!

In Greece, watering down wine was the norm—something that would make today’s sommeliers and winemakers cry sacrilege. But back then, it wasn’t just about taste, it was tradition. A wine that was too strong? That was downright “barbaric.” So no, this wasn’t the wine we know today. It was bold, fragrant, and often a wild ride for modern palates!

Rome and the rise of terroir-driven wine

The Romans weren’t just casual wine drinkers—they were game changers. They didn’t just drink whatever was available; they classified, selected, and refined their vineyards, whether in Campania, Gaul, or Hispania. This was when winemaking took a serious step forward, with the first real attempts at controlled vinification. Or at least, that’s what the writings of the time tend to claim!

The Romans even had their own superstar wine, Falernian, reserved for special occasions. Meanwhile, the everyday crowd kept things interesting by spiking their wine with honey, spices, or even seawater (yes, really). They also experimented with early preservation techniques—sealing amphorae with pitch and burying wine underground—all in the name of improving quality and making it easier to export.

This was the moment winemaking became a true craft. For the first time, people started paying attention to terroir, studying how soil, climate, and grape varieties shaped the final product. Sound familiar? Yep, the Romans were way ahead of their time.

Medieval wine: Monastic mastery and changing tastes

After the fall of the Roman Empire, winemaking took a bit of a nosedive. Chaos, invasions… let’s just say fine wine wasn’t exactly a priority. But thankfully, an unexpected group decided to keep the tradition alive—monks!

In Burgundy, Champagne, and the Loire Valley, these robe-clad winemakers laid the foundation for the first true vineyards. But let’s be honest—their wine was still a far cry from what we enjoy today. It was rustic, tannic, and sometimes even spiced. Taste wasn’t the main concern—durability was.

Over time, wine became more than just a monk’s business. It started showing up at every level of society. Peasants watered it down, while the nobility and clergy enjoyed more refined cuvées. And then came a game-changer: barrel ageing. Suddenly, wine had a new home beyond the amphora—setting the stage for the wines we know today.

The medieval period didn’t just keep winemaking alive—it redefined it. For the first time, the goal wasn’t just to make wine that lasted but wine that genuinely reflected its terroir.

A few game-changing innovations set this shift in motion:
●    Wooden vats replaced amphorae, leading to more balanced, refined wines.
●    Fermentation became better understood, helping winemakers avoid overly acidic or unstable batches.
●    Certain regions began to stand out, with the Rhône Valley, Côte d’Or, and Bordeaux already making names for themselves.
As winemaking evolved, wine became more structured, more natural, and more expressive—closer to what we know today.

But here’s a thought: what if a medieval monk had the chance to taste a cuvée from Xavier Vignon? They might just recognize something familiar—that same quest for balance between tradition and innovation, that deep respect for terroir that had already become their obsession centuries ago. Turns out, some things never change!

A living legacy in every bottle

Wine may have evolved, but echoes of the past still linger in every glass. We no longer dilute it with water or spike it with pine resin (thankfully!), but many age-old traditions continue to shape the wines we drink today.

At Xavier Vignon, we love playing with time. Ancient winemaking techniques aren’t just relics—they’re a source of inspiration, pushing us to rethink and redefine modern vinification.

Wine’s story is a constant dance between the past and the future. Today, we keep exploring, innovating, and crafting, all while honoring the centuries-old traditions that shaped the way we taste.

Because if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed over the centuries, it’s this: wine is always an adventure!