Wine was already important during the most ancient period, but during the Middle Ages, due to the prevalent prevalence of Christianity, its importance was more than ever strengthened: in addition to being a highly appreciated drink it was indeed his sacral character in the ceremony of the Eucharist representing the blood of Christ to give the wine its importance. Consequently it is obvious that the wine tradition was seen with greater interest; in the Middle Ages there was therefore a gradual improvement in the quality of the wine, where, unlike the ancient wine (characterized by the “cut” with water and the use of aromas and herbs, as usual in the food tradition of ancient Rome) a similar quality is outlined to that consumed even today. Although religion in the Middle Ages gave a great impetus to the expansion of the winemaking tradition, the empire of Charlemagne also strove for an improvement in the wine quality, by launching in particular an ordinance in which the producers and administrators were more responsible for preventing the deterioration or ruin of the wine.

However, in the Middle Ages the true guardians of the quality of the wine were undoubtedly the monks who put a lot of attention in the production of wine by mass, managing numerous vineyards and creating varieties still very popular today, for example the wine “Est! Est !! Est!!!“, a wine with a slightly sweet and particular taste, which was “discovered” in the Middle Ages (the name of Est! Est!! Est!!! derives from the Middle Ages) and appreciated for its taste, is still consumed today!

The most consumed wines in the Middle Ages in the West

But what were the most widespread wines during the Middle Ages in the West? In the Duchy of Aquitaine, around the X-XII century, the wine of the variety Clairet became increasingly widespread, much loved by the English; Also in the period of this period, the Champagne region became important for its vineyards, with the stipulation of the “Champagne document” (in French “Grande charte champenoise“) through which the bishop William of Champeaux consolidates agricultural production of the abbey “Saint-Pierre-aux-Monts.” Wines were also traded through maritime trade, such as Gascony, Aunis and Saintogne developed a solid export of wines to the region of Flanders. Occitania’s Guienna instead exported to England.