| All of us, no matter how skeptical we claim to be, | | | | the glass entirely and, ultimately, changing how |
| have been impacted by Folklore at some point in | | | | much wine a glass would hold. |
| our lives. From those of us who refuse to utter | | | | |
| the words "Bloody Mary" in front of a bathroom | | | | Red Bearded Emperor |
| mirror because we believe an Urban Legend, to | | | | We all know that red wine can stain. But, what |
| those of us who still peer out a snow covered | | | | we might not know is that its ability to stain |
| window on Christmas Eve in hopes of seeing eight | | | | ultimately led to the offspring of white wine in |
| tiny reindeer, Folklore is a part of our lives. And, | | | | Burgundy. According to Burgundy legend, an |
| what's more, Folklore seems to have had a hand | | | | Emperor by the name of Charlemagne was an |
| in every aspect of our culture, with its clever | | | | avid red wine drinker for the majority of his life. |
| fingers grabbing onto our customs and traditions | | | | However, the more red wine he drank the more |
| and adding a new spin. | | | | red wine would fall into his beard, leaving his |
| | | | naturally white beard, well, burgundy. He felt that |
| Not immune to Folklore is wine. Wine, having | | | | the look wasn't one an Emperor should possess |
| existed throughout the travels of time, comes | | | | and so he began to switch to white wine, |
| with its own legends and its own stories. Whether | | | | demanding a portion of the vineyards of Corton |
| or not the tales are true, we will probably never | | | | Hill be replanted with white grapes. This, ultimately, |
| know. But, chances are, they are based on some | | | | is how Corton-Charlemagne found its way into |
| truth. And, chances are even greater, the stories | | | | the world of wine. |
| will become more believable with each glass of | | | | |
| wine consumed. | | | | German Superstitions |
| | | | Germany, a nation known for fine wines, also |
| So, pour yourself a drink and enjoy some wine | | | | possesses fine wine superstitions, believing certain |
| lore. It's Folklore that's had a few. | | | | things can cause havoc on their vineyards and |
| | | | wineries. In a town called Varnhalt, located near |
| Women Invented Wine | | | | the historical state of Baden in southwest |
| The male species is credited with the invention | | | | Germany, a tradition that has been carried down |
| of both the wheel and fire, and we can probably | | | | by generations of wine makers perpetuates the |
| attribute farting and belching to them as well. | | | | belief that the last grape harvest of the growing |
| Thus, it seems only fair that, in lore, women | | | | season must be brought home in a cart pulled by |
| would be credited for a great invention, the | | | | an ox. If it is brought home in any other manner, |
| invention of wine. | | | | the grape harvest will be filled with sour grapes, |
| | | | producing undrinkable wine. |
| As Persian legend goes, wine was invented when | | | | |
| a woman, plagued by a headache, drank | | | | In addition, the Germans also believe that when |
| fermented juice from a jar used for grape | | | | someone dies, the wine in the cellar must be |
| storage. After consumption, she became relaxed | | | | shaken nearly immediately. If it's not shaken, the |
| and at ease, eventually falling asleep and waking | | | | wine stored will all turn sour. |
| up cured. | | | | |
| | | | When in Rome, Don't Spill Wine |
| However, it is believed in Greek Mythology that | | | | Everyone has always lived by the notion that |
| wine was invented by Dionysus, appropriately | | | | there's no use crying over spilled milk. Spilled wine, |
| named the God of Wine, Intoxication, and Fertility | | | | on the other hand, is another story. The Romans |
| (the coupling of Intoxication and Fertility can | | | | possessed a belief that spilling wine inadvertently |
| probably explain the Greek's booming population). | | | | was an omen of disaster, as ominous as crossing |
| As was commonly accepted, he invented wine on | | | | paths with a black cat or having a snake fall from |
| Mount Nyssa and soon began to cultivate grapes | | | | the roof into a yard. When wine fell to the ground |
| around the world. | | | | or on a table, bad things - a storm, a plague, a |
| | | | betrayal by Brutus - were bound to be imminent. |
| While the Persians and Greeks disagree on who | | | | |
| invented wine, chances are they both breathe a | | | | In fact, this is a belief that many people generally |
| sigh of relief at the fact that at least it was | | | | possess. Perhaps it's because there is some |
| invented by someone. | | | | validity to it or perhaps it's because spilling wine is |
| | | | wasting wine, and therefore bad luck in itself. |
| Abreast of Invention: The Wine Glass | | | | |
| Typically, we probably don't concern ourselves | | | | However, spilling wine, when done on purpose, is |
| with the history of the wine glass, being more | | | | believed to bring luck. The breaking of a wine filled |
| focused on what's inside. But, according to legend, | | | | glass is typically thought of as a good omen when |
| the invention of the wine glass was a bit more | | | | performed at marriages. A token for a happy life, |
| unique than the typical run-of-the-mill appearance | | | | this act will lead to unyielding love and affection. |
| at the US Patent Office. | | | | |
| | | | Wine lore is undoubtedly a part of our culture. |
| Dating back to Greek Mythology, it is rumored | | | | Because wine is essential to history, it's only |
| that the first wine glass was molded from the | | | | natural that legends, stories, and superstitions |
| breast of Helen of Troy. Because the Greeks | | | | come with it, packaged in the bottle of every |
| believed that there was something very sensual in | | | | vintage. Because wine is so magical, having its lore |
| the essence of wine, they wanted the glass that | | | | in our lives has the potential to replace other |
| held it molded from the breast of their culture's | | | | types of Folklore: who needs a Bloody Mary when |
| most beautiful woman. | | | | you can have a glass of wine?Jennifer Jordan is |
| | | | the senior editor at With a vast knowledge of |
| However, in what may have been one of | | | | wine etiquette, she writes articles on everything |
| history's first cat fights, Marie Antoinette, | | | | from how to hold a glass of wine to how to hold |
| centuries later, decided she would create a new | | | | your hair back after too many glasses. Ultimately, |
| glass, molded from her own breasts. But, because | | | | she writes her articles with the intention that |
| Marie Antoinette was better endowed than Helen | | | | readers will remember wine is fun and each glass |
| of Troy, the wine glass went from the equivalent | | | | of anything fun should always be savored. |
| of an A-cup to a D-cup, changing the shape of | | | | |