The daffodils and crocuses are peeking out of the earth, robins are returning to the backyard and slowly, slowly the days are getting longer. Ahh, spring is in the air! Clean off the grill, pull back the pool cover, and dust off the patio furniture. The winter doldrums will soon be a distant memory. Time to celebrate!
Greek religion is dominated by the cycle of life, death, and re-birth and viniculture is an integral part of this cycle. Grapevines bud in the spring, fruit ripens in the summer and fall, and then lie in wait during the winter in anticipation of the cycle to begin again. Dionysus was a dying god, who like the grapes, was ritually killed each winter only to be reborn in the spring.
In April, around what the Greeks considered their new year, was the Anethesteria. Anthesteria, one of the four festivals in honor of Dionysus was held annually for three days. At the center of this wine-drinking festival was the celebration of the maturing of the wine stored at the previous vintage, whose vessels were now opened, and the beginning of spring. It must have been quite a party.
The first Greek wine I consumed was during a trip to Greece many years ago- the ubiquitous Mavrodaphe wine. It was inexpensive, easy to pronounce, and easy to drink. Greek wine has come a long way over the years and there are now many more options. Check out New Wines of Greece to learn more.
And what better way to serve your wine than in the aptly named Dionysus glasses. Grab some feta, olives, a nice loaf of bread and celebrate spring!
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