Page 235 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 235
Culture
of Wine
in Slovenia
Summary
Dušan Terčelj, PhD
The wine has been part of the humanity since the dawn of the Mediterranean culture
which is the basis of the west European civilisation. The wine was one of the essential ele-
ments that helped this culture to come into existence. It meant drink, food and medicine.
It had an important economical role and, because of its particular characteristics, also a
symbolic meaning. Appreciated by ordinary people, it equally found its place on tables
of rulers. The dead Egyptian pharaohs were buried with wine. With Christ, the wine was
elevated into a sacred drink.
Old Greeks and Romans excelled in the culinary art which included wine consumption
matched with various dishes. The wine production has improved from antiquity till nowadays.
The Slovenes too started with grape and wine production pretty soon after their settlement.
Wine had become not only an ordinary drink for people, but also a ceremonial one, for the
wine helps mark and celebrate important days and events in somebody's life. The Slovenes
have created wines typical of every region, place and sun exposure. This is what makes us
rich, this is our cultural legacy.
Today, the economic globalisation and the uniformed production are on their victorius
march: the cheapest possible production of goods, the highest possible profit; this is true
also of wine production. Wine should therefore become pure industrial produce, the theory
defended especially by non-European countries, that are still very green in the branch
of wine production. European wine-producing countries on the other hand defend the
traditional way, natural features of wine, the specificity of provenence, and its rich variety.
231
of Wine
in Slovenia
Summary
Dušan Terčelj, PhD
The wine has been part of the humanity since the dawn of the Mediterranean culture
which is the basis of the west European civilisation. The wine was one of the essential ele-
ments that helped this culture to come into existence. It meant drink, food and medicine.
It had an important economical role and, because of its particular characteristics, also a
symbolic meaning. Appreciated by ordinary people, it equally found its place on tables
of rulers. The dead Egyptian pharaohs were buried with wine. With Christ, the wine was
elevated into a sacred drink.
Old Greeks and Romans excelled in the culinary art which included wine consumption
matched with various dishes. The wine production has improved from antiquity till nowadays.
The Slovenes too started with grape and wine production pretty soon after their settlement.
Wine had become not only an ordinary drink for people, but also a ceremonial one, for the
wine helps mark and celebrate important days and events in somebody's life. The Slovenes
have created wines typical of every region, place and sun exposure. This is what makes us
rich, this is our cultural legacy.
Today, the economic globalisation and the uniformed production are on their victorius
march: the cheapest possible production of goods, the highest possible profit; this is true
also of wine production. Wine should therefore become pure industrial produce, the theory
defended especially by non-European countries, that are still very green in the branch
of wine production. European wine-producing countries on the other hand defend the
traditional way, natural features of wine, the specificity of provenence, and its rich variety.
231
