HIS 177 — The History of Wine
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Patrick Hunt
Date(s): Jan 15—Mar 5
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $465
Refund Deadline: Jan 17
Unit(s): 1
Status: Registration opens Dec 2, 8:30 am (PT)
Viticulture has traditionally been closely connected with the development of Western culture. Archaeological evidence shows that wine became a social force in the Celtic world when chiefs gained greater status by offering imported wine to their warriors. We also know that Plato’s Symposium connected wine to philosophizing, and the cultural work of bards, poets, dancers, and musicians was often accompanied by wine rituals. Archaeology now also confirms the locus of wine origins around the Caucasus and Armenia, as hinted in The Epic of Gilgamesh and the biblical story of Noah.
In this course, we will broadly cover the beginnings of wine in the Neolithic Near East, the Greek and Roman contributions, the French wines—including champagne—over at least a millennium, and California viticulture over the past several centuries. Drawing on science, history, literature, and art, we will explore and examine the locales and differences of major global wine varietals.
In this course, we will broadly cover the beginnings of wine in the Neolithic Near East, the Greek and Roman contributions, the French wines—including champagne—over at least a millennium, and California viticulture over the past several centuries. Drawing on science, history, literature, and art, we will explore and examine the locales and differences of major global wine varietals.