Page 40 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 40
he Culture of Wine in Slovenia
But what is wine and what does it mean to us? Pasteur offered a short definition: “Wine can
be the healthiest and most hygienic drink.” What purpose does wine serve? It can be:
• a means of hydration, quenching thirst,
• a food that can partly replace calories,
• a substance that improves the digestion of heavy food,
• a sterilising substance for polluted water,
• a stimulant, while it still has a positive neurological effect,
• a social drink,
• a drink used in rituals.
Winemaking is an important branch of the economy that pro-
vides income to farmers, retailers, caterers, hauliers and others.
Wine unites its lovers into societies and clubs that organise a
range of events. Wine is also a sign of social status.
Wine consumption, sadly, also has negative aspects, when
wine becomes an intoxicant. Excessive drinking is a perennial
problem in Slovenia. That is why it is especially important to
improve wine-drinking habits, as this is the only possible way
of eradicating this evil from our society. Legislative bans (pro-
hibition) have so far not produced positive results.
A tabernacle richly decorated with vine A colleague once lamented that she regretted being involved in
leaves and grapes bears witness to the wine production and in educating personnel involved in this
ritual and symbolic significance of wine in profession as wine produces so much harm. I told her it was
Christian liturgy. The Church of St. George our mission to pass on to people at our lectures and through
in Ptuj, 2006. Photo: Aleš Gačnik the education we offer the knowledge of how to value wine.
If people learn how to do this, if they know of wine’s benefits
and respect it, they will not use it to get drunk.
Enjoying wine, 2008.
Photo: Aleš Gačnik.
36
But what is wine and what does it mean to us? Pasteur offered a short definition: “Wine can
be the healthiest and most hygienic drink.” What purpose does wine serve? It can be:
• a means of hydration, quenching thirst,
• a food that can partly replace calories,
• a substance that improves the digestion of heavy food,
• a sterilising substance for polluted water,
• a stimulant, while it still has a positive neurological effect,
• a social drink,
• a drink used in rituals.
Winemaking is an important branch of the economy that pro-
vides income to farmers, retailers, caterers, hauliers and others.
Wine unites its lovers into societies and clubs that organise a
range of events. Wine is also a sign of social status.
Wine consumption, sadly, also has negative aspects, when
wine becomes an intoxicant. Excessive drinking is a perennial
problem in Slovenia. That is why it is especially important to
improve wine-drinking habits, as this is the only possible way
of eradicating this evil from our society. Legislative bans (pro-
hibition) have so far not produced positive results.
A tabernacle richly decorated with vine A colleague once lamented that she regretted being involved in
leaves and grapes bears witness to the wine production and in educating personnel involved in this
ritual and symbolic significance of wine in profession as wine produces so much harm. I told her it was
Christian liturgy. The Church of St. George our mission to pass on to people at our lectures and through
in Ptuj, 2006. Photo: Aleš Gačnik the education we offer the knowledge of how to value wine.
If people learn how to do this, if they know of wine’s benefits
and respect it, they will not use it to get drunk.
Enjoying wine, 2008.
Photo: Aleš Gačnik.
36
