Wine making dates back to the days of ancient Rome. At the time, the regions of Latium and Campania were ripe with fertile lands that were perfect for creating cherished, delicate flavours of exquisite wine. Ancient Roman wine cellars were used to store freshly produced wine before shipments were arranged to transport the valuable vintages across the Roman Empire.
In the midst of a nationwide love affair with fine wine was a devotion to one of the most celebrated figures ever associated with the art of wine making. That figure was none other than Bacchus, one of the most infamous names of Roman mythology.
Who is Bacchus, the Roman god of wine?
Bacchus was the beloved Roman god of wine and revelry while, in Greek mythology, he was known as Dionysus. He was one of the sons of Jupiter (Zeus), the so-called king of the gods, and he was also the grandson of Concordia (Harmonia), the goddess of harmony.
As Bacchus grew into manhood, mythology states that he discovered the art of winemaking. He travelled across much of the known world, planting vines and teaching his disciples how to grow grapes so they could make wine.
Bacchus developed a reputation for cultivating loyalists, who hosted lively festivals known as “bacchanals.” During these celebrations, wine flowed like a river as attendees revelled in the sweet tastes and lively music that followed devotees of the Roman god.
Bacchus is also notable for his crucial role in the tale of King Midas. It was Bacchus who invoked Midas’ plea for the “Midas touch,” which turned everything the wary king touched into solid gold. Recognizing the blunder of his wish, Midas pleaded for Bacchus to undo his actions. Bacchus directed Midas to bathe in the river Pactolus, which eliminated the Midas touch and freed King Midas to live an ordinary life again.
Why did Roman wine lovers worship Bacchus?
In addition to his role as an instigator of lavish wine festivals and uninhibited aspects of Roman lifestyles, Bacchus became linked with the abundance of a good harvest. It was believed that Bacchus would bless vineyards so that they would grow a sizable crop of grapes that could be used to produce finely made wines.
Many Roman elders viewed the bacchanal parties as a source of unadulterated vices. But the masses of ancient Rome considered the bacchanal festivals as symbols of spiritual connections to the land. In their own way, the Romans came to revere Bacchus as not only the god of wine and revelry, but also as a god of agriculture.
Did the Romans have holidays for Bacchus?
As Bacchus came to symbolize a quality harvest for Roman farmers, they set aside days of worship to thank the eccentric god for their blessings. One of these days was the Vinalia Rustica, which was celebrated on August 19 to mark the beginning of the grape harvest.
During the harvest, farmers would offer sacrifices and donate portions of their harvest in tribute to Bacchus. They would then use the ripest grapes from the harvest to commence with the initial pressing of grapes into wine, producing the first vintages of the season.
What does Bacchus symbolize in modern society?
Bacchus came to symbolize humanity’s wild, uninhibited nature. Feelings of liberation and ecstasy are closely associated with the adventures once cultivated by the followers of Bacchus.
A wine tasting party typically creates a classy, refined experience that’s more calming than adventurous. Yet, there are still ways to tap into the spirit of the Roman god of wine and revelry to make a summer wine night fun and exciting for your guests.
Bacchus encouraged people across ancient Rome to appreciate the savoury taste of fine wine. Wine lovers today host wine tasting events with friends and loved ones to achieve a similar experience. Indulging in and sharing a love for fine wine with fellow connoisseurs who appreciate the modern winemaking experience spiritually recreates those same unadulterated celebrations that symbolized a love for wine in ancient Rome.
Celebrate the legends of Bacchus with bespoke wine accessories
If your passion for wine is matched by a lively spirit for hosting great parties, look toward your inner Bacchus to create those unforgettable memories for your loved ones. In fact, you can use Bacchus-themed wine accessories to create a summer wine night full of fun and unforgettable experiences.
Bacchus Wine Funnel
If you really want to capture the spirit of the ancient god of wine, there’s no better accessory than the Bacchus Wine Funnel.
The face of the ancient god is sculpted into the funnel, and his beard forms the tip of the accessory. Surrounding Bacchus’ face are clusters of grapes, adding a sculpted finish to the air intake holes built into the funnel.
To use the funnel, pour your wine into the mouth at the top of the accessory. Wine flows downward to the narrower end of the funnel, where Bacchus’ beard is located at the tip. The air intake holes create a vacuum that aerates the wine, unlocking its subtle tastes and releasing more titillating aromas.
A summer wine night automatically becomes more fun and memorable if a wine funnel makes an appearance. Show your guests the time of their lives by bringing one of the greatest Bacchus memorabilia products to the occasion.
Bacchus Pewter Wine Bottle Coaster
If you’re a true wine connoisseur, you likely have a collection of extremely rare, high-priced bottles of wine. A collection of such grace and elegance deserves to be displayed with the same exquisite style, even as you’re serving wine to your guests.
As a god who appreciated fine wine and revelry, Bacchus placed great value on an aesthetic presentation. The Bacchus Pewter Wine Bottle Coaster pays tribute to the ancient aesthetics with a customary way to display wine bottles at your serving table.
Like the Bacchus Wine Funnel, the coaster is engraved with the face of the Roman god. Grapes are sculpted around each visual representation, tying each carving together in an elegantly sculpted banner. The base of the coaster shields your kitchen or backyard table from stains or circles left behind by the damp wine bottle.
Bacchus Pewter Corkscrew
It’s not only the way you serve wine that can be used to honour the history of Bacchus. You can even have a Bacchus-themed opening experience, using the Bacchus Pewter Corkscrew to unseal your rare wine bottles.
The corkscrew is engineered to fit firmly in the palm of your hand. Similar to other Bacchus-themed accessories, the design includes the Roman god’s face sculpted into the base of the corkscrew. Grapes are lavishly embellished around the image of Bacchus’ face.
The Bacchus pewter corkscrew has a stainless-steel finish that symbolizes elegance and finesse. It combines practical function with a rich ornamentation celebrating the ancient Roman god of wine.
Bacchus Pewter Bottle Stopper
Finally, what better way to commemorate the bacchanal wine parties of ancient Rome than with a bottle stopper sculpted with the face of the ancient Roman god of wine.
The Bacchus Pewter Bottle Stopper fits comfortably inside the tip of any wine bottle in between servings. You can safely protect the wine from oxidation with a stylish stopper that pays homage to the mythological founder of winemaking.
If you’re hosting a wine gathering with friends and loved ones, show them that you believe in a stylish experience from start to finish. Add the Bacchus Pewter Bottle Stopper to your list of wine accessories, and top off your wine bottles with a beautifully emblazoned stopper.
Shop our selection of Bacchus-inspired and other premium wine accessories at rosehillwinecellars.com.
