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Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of
grape juice. The natural chemical balance of grapes is such
that they can ferment without the addition of sugars, acids,
enzymes or other nutrients. Wine is produced by fermenting crushed
grapes using various types of yeast which consume the sugars
found in the grapes and convert them into alcohol. Various varieties
of grapes and strains of yeasts are used depending on the types
of wine produced.
Although other fruits such as apples and berries can also be
fermented, the resultant "wines" are normally named
after the fruit from which they are produced (for example, apple
wine or elderberry wine) and are generically known as fruit
wine or country wine (not to be confused with the French term
vin du pays). Others, such as barley wine and rice wine (e.g.
sake), are made from starch-based materials and resemble beer
and spirit more than wine, while ginger wine is fortified with
brandy. In these cases, the use of the term "wine"
is a reference to the higher alcohol content, rather than production
process. The commercial use of the English word "wine"
(and its equivalent in other languages) is protected by law
in many jurisdictions.
Wine has a rich history dating back to around 6000 BC and is
thought to have originated in areas now within the borders of
Israel, Georgia and Iran. Wine probably appeared in Europe at
about 4500 BC in what is now Bulgaria and Greece, and was very
common in ancient Greece, Thrace and Rome. Wine has also played
an important role in religion throughout history. The Greek
god Dionysos and the Roman equivalent Bacchus represented wine,
and the drink is also used in Christian and Jewish ceremonies
such as the Eucharist and Kiddush.
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