Wine has been produced for at least 6,000 to perhaps 8,000 years, whereby the historical landscapes of Mesopotamia and Transcaucasia as well as south-east Anatolia in Turkey near Mount Ararat are thought to be the cradle of viticulture (according to the Bible, Noah's Ark landed there). Beer is probably even older. Beer and wine are the earliest evidence of human drinking culture. A sophisticated wine culture developed in ancient Greece and Rome.
The German name "Wein" (Middle High German and Old High German "wīn") comes from the Latin "Vinum". The names in other countries are: Arabia - Khamr, China - 葡萄酒 = Pútáojiǔ or Hóngjiǔ, England - Wine, France - Vin, Georgia - Ghvino, Greece - Oinos, Indonesia - Anggur, Ireland (Gaelic) - Fion, Italy - Vino, Croatia - Wino, Netherlands (Flemish) - Wijn, Poland - Wino, Portugal - Vinho, Romania - Vin, Russia - Wino, Sweden - Vin, Serbia - Vino, Slovenia - Vino, Spain - Vino, Czech Republic - Vinem, Turkey - Sarap, Hungary - Bor.
Serious sources on the internet are rare - and Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one such source. When researching for my articles, I regularly consult the wein.plus encyclopaedia. There I get reliable and detailed information.
Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi