Jesus and The Vine
1:1 Introduction
1:2 Let me start off by stating that I was raised Roman Catholic and that my father is a Deacon serving in the Roman Catholic church. Now my wife would tell you that I am not the best practicing of Catholic in this world, but I do find myself fascinated by religious history as well as history in general.
1:3 When it comes to the Bible, wine is mentioned 220 times and when the style of wine is ever referenced it is always red.
1:4 Historians have narrowed down from writings, markings, and other discoveries that in the middle east during Jesus’ era, there were 20 different varietals growing in that region but by far and away the most popular and most abundant of the crop was Syrah also known as Shiraz in Australia. DNA testing has proven that Syrah originates in Persia and given the Bible frequently mention red wine, it is safe to assume that Jesus served Syrah at the last supper.
1:5 This article will go on to discuss various aspects of religious history regarding wine or how religion impacted the wine industry. We will discuss religion’s direct involvement in how Burgundian wines are ranked today as well as how Jesus (though indirectly) saved the California vineyards during prohibition. And I will even go as far to discuss how and maybe why Jesus turned water into wine. Depending on the response to this article, I may follow up and write an article on how Noah, after saving the animals, started a vineyard once he made shore. But first, let’s talk about how the Pope has the best seat in the house.
2:1 The Pope has the best seat in the house.
2:2 Bordeaux and Bourgogne have a storied wine history with Bourgogne’s beginning as early as the 5th century. There are countless documents that describe Catholic monks and their love for winemaking. Some of these documents go as far to describe their testing and experimenting different winemaking techniques.
2:3 Over the centuries, monasteries were divided based on different religious beliefs but most still collaborated around good winemaking techniques. For example, one of the more famous orders of monks, the Cistercians, broke off from the wealthy Bourgogne order to focus on “living in poverty.” Or being “poor with Christ.” These Cistercian monks then founded Clos de Vougeot, one of the greatest vineyards in the world. (Then and still even today)
2:4 Through experimentation they discovered the vines with the best fruit were in the middle slope of their vineyard. Whereas the upper slope was second best, and the lower slope was third best. This came to be for a multitude of reasons, such as, which slope received too much sun or not enough sun and which slope drains too quickly or receives an overabundance of water due to little or no drainage. It is with these discoveries that they “ranked” the vines based on where they grow on the slope of a hill. The middle slope was subsequently earmarked for the Pope himself, whereas second best or the upper slope was earmarked for the Cardinals and the lower slope marked for the bishops. Therefore, the flatter vines were consumed by the priest, brothers, and other people of God. These rankings still hold true today!
Sure, they do not save the middle slope for Pope Francis, but they do identify the middle slope as Grand Crus. The upper slope, or second best is labelled Premier Crus and so on. The price point also sticks to this belief. Grand Crus wine in Bourgogne can command $500-$1000 per bottle (for some – if not more) and Premier Crus $100-200 (for some – if not more). Followed by village and then regional designations.
So truly, the discoveries from monks centuries ago still hold true and impact the wine market today and…..they were not incorrect in their findings. The middle slope is best and receives the perfect amount of sun, rain, and drainage. What else in life does research from 1500 years ago still hold true? Certainly, little in healthcare for that matter.
3:1 Two Popes at the same time? And one liked wine.
3:2 In France there are many historic appellations known for their winemaking. Bordeaux, Bourgogne, and Champagne immediately come to mind but not far behind those big three is Châteanuef-du-Pape. Châteanuef-du-Pape literally translates to “The Pope’s New Castle.” Why you may ask – well, here is the history as I know it.
3:3 The French King at the time – Philip IV swindled the papal election in his favor and Clement V was elected to the papacy. Clement V was not well liked in Rome therefore he chose to move to Avignon, France. This created angst among the Catholic church with subsequent led to electing Popes who moved back to Rome. In the late 1300s there was a fracture in the Catholic church where they then had two Popes – one in Rome and one in Avignon. This went on for over 4 decades. At the time of the French Revolution, pieces of the castle were taken to build the village and during World War 2, the remaining bell tower became a watchtower for the German army.
3:4 Now when Avignon did have a Pope residing there, they improved the reputation of Burgundian wines and developed a vineyard on the property of the castle. Because if the terroir, large galet stones (smoothed by the Rhóne river) this area was exceptional for Grenache and Mourvèdre styled wine. Syrah is typically added for its spice and color and therefore you have GSM blends in this region. (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre).
3:5 So, if Philip the IV did not coerce Clement V’s election, would we have such a strong presence of wine the region of Avignon? We certainly would not have Châteanuef-du-Pape. (with no Pope there, we would have no new castle).
4:1 Why was Mary so concerned there was no more wine?
4:2 Many of us recall in our teachings that Jesus turning water into wine, but most do not know the Bible well enough to understand the context in which this happened. In full disclosure, I too was unaware of how this happened until recently. I was preparing and researching this very article and you know how the internet is in the fact that once you search for a product you get links and recommendations like what you were searching for? Well, I stumbled upon a standup comedian who was discussing the story around Jesus turning water into wine and even went so far as to question whether Mary, his mother, enjoyed drinking too much alcohol? Appalling you say? Maybe.
4:3 So, I read John 2:1-11 where on the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Now, Jesus, his disciples and his mother were all invited and attended.
Jesus’ mother Mary turned to Jesus and said.
“They have no more wine.” (I am unsure if this was said as a question or a statement)
4:4 Jesus initially asked “woman, why do you involve me?” but then subsequently had people fill the jars with water. Once their job was complete, he had a sample taken to the “master of the banquet” – which today would be the father of the bride I presume? He discovered that the water was now wine.
4:5 Interestingly, the next instruction was to bring out the good stuff first and then once everyone had “too much to drink, then the cheaper wine.”
How this story occurred is fascinating to me.
Mary was concerned there was no more wine.
Jesus initially seemed annoyed (“woman why do you involve me”)
But then he complied and did what she hoped; by finding and creating more wine.
Then they decided to serve the good stuff followed by the cheap stuff.
Sound about right – Start with the Dom and end with the Prosecco!
5:1 How Jesus saved the California vineyards
5:2 Between 1917 and 1920 there was a bitter struggle with alcohol in the United States with multiple discussions and arguments about what should and should not be legal regarding consumption. The Volstead Act was proposed which subsequently became The National Prohibition Act. The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution was eventually passed and enacted on January 17, 1920. At the time the Amendment was passed there were approximately 713 wineries operating within the state of California.
On December 5th, 1933, Prohibition ended with that ratification of the 21st Amendment which repealed the 18th Amendment. When Prohibition finally ended, a mere 40 wineries in California survived.
5:3 One would ask, how did 40 wineries survive making wine for thirteen years if it was illegal? Well, many wineries found a few loopholes to survive. These loopholes include but were not limited to;
1 – Pharmacies could sell wine for medicinal purposes.
2 – A person could make his or her own wine for personal consumption (up to 200 gallons) which is a lot if you think about it. If you go by the math of 41 bottles of wine for every 10 gallons, a person could make 820 bottles of wine.
Or
3 – Wineries could produce wine for sacramental purposes.
5:4 One winery in particular, Beaulieu Vineyard, survived the 13 years by mass producing wine for Jesus or Sacramental wine.
It is truly a miracle that a short 40 years after Prohibition ended, California beat France’s historic vineyards in a head-to-head competition in both the red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon) and white wine (Chardonnay) categories. Think about that. Entire crops decimated because of Federal Law but in 1976 they were asked to go head-to-head with some of the most recognized vineyards of France and the World. These vineyards have been around for centuries, and they not only held their own but beat the competition.
Kudos to these wineries. Or as Mr. Barrett stated, “not bad for kids from the sticks.”
6:1 Conclusion
6:2 As I mentioned, I have always been fascinated by history and obviously wine. Adding a religious component to a story also adds something more in my opinion. If you would like to learn more, please subscribe, send an email and as I stated my next article may discuss how Noah decided to plant a vineyard once the Ark reached land.
Cheers
