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.
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As honorary chairman of the Domäne Wachau, it is the easiest and quickest way for me to access the wein.plus encyclopaedia when I have questions. The certainty of receiving well-founded and up-to-date information here makes it an indispensable guide.
Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)