Even in ancient Greece, according to written reports, there was a class of wine merchants in the third century BC. For these, the professional title "oinogeustes" (wine tasters) existed, because obviously the ability of tasting was a prerequisite for this. In the Middle Ages, the Greek port of Monemvasia on the Peloponnese peninsula was an important transhipment point for sweet wines from the entire Mediterranean region. For centuries, England exerted a great influence on the taste of wine through strong imports, especially from France. As a result, champagne, clairet, port and sherry have established themselves as wine styles. France has always been one of the main suppliers of wine to many countries.