8000 years old
The earliest known evidence of wine is dated back to 6000 BCE, located in a region in modern day Georgia. There is some unconfirmed evidence that Ancient China may have added native grapes to their fermentation of early rice wine. If true, this could date viniculture back to 7000 BCE.
Oldest wine bottle
The oldest bottle of wine was discovered in 1867 in Germany. It was found in the tomb of what is believed to be a Roman Legionnaire. The bottle is dated between 325-350 AD. That is quite a vintage! With a use of herbs and olive oil, the wine is still intact enough today to be identified as wine, not sure if it would taste any good though.
Drinking to one’s health
The tradition apparently started in Ancient Greece where its purpose wasn’t just to toast to the forth-coming evening, but for the host to drink first and show their guests they were not poisoning them.
