Picking up from our previous article on the history and evolution of wine, we dive into the ambitious era of territorial conquests—a time when uncharted lands stirred the imaginations of adventurers and explorers. The thrill of discovery was irresistible for those seeking excitement and fortune, though the impact on indigenous populations was profound. For historical context, we’ll view this period through the eyes of the explorers who played a central role in wine’s global expansion.
Viticulture owes much to humanity’s intrinsic drive to push boundaries and seek out new horizons. As the 17th century began, daring adventurers and explorers set out to claim new territories for their homelands and sponsors. Think of Columbus and his "discovery" of the New World for Spain, Ponce de Leon claiming Florida and Puerto Rico, Hernan Cortez conquering Mexico, Sir Walter Raleigh establishing Virginia for England, and De la Salle exploring the Mississippi and claiming Louisiana for France. With each conquest, Old World winemaking traditions were transplanted to new soils. Vines flourished across Central and South America—in Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico, and even Cuba. The success was so remarkable that Spanish kings banned the sale of New World wines to protect their own—an early instance of mercantilist policy. In the United States, wine production began later along the East and West Coasts, with Virginia and California becoming hotspots, and even Texas seeing early grapevine plantings. The Dutch introduced vines to South Africa, while the English later transported vines to Australia. The world of wine was entering a new era of global influence.
As explorers brought grapevines to distant lands, they also transported wine itself. However, they faced a significant challenge: transportation. The volatile conditions aboard ships—fluctuating temperatures, constant motion, and poor storage—often caused wines to oxidize and turn to vinegar. Even wines traded within Europe suffered from spoilage. Necessity sparked innovation: the English and Dutch discovered that by burning the insides of wooden barrels with sulfur dioxide candles (SO2), they could stabilize wines and prevent them from souring. This technique may have roots in Roman practices. Around this time, beloved fortified wines like Sherry, Port, and Marsala were developed by adding brandy to halt fermentation and preserve natural sugars. These sweet, smooth wines soon became favorites among Europe’s elite.
The search for better wine preservation led to the rise of the glass wine bottle. Glass had long been used by the Phoenicians and by aristocratic families in Renaissance Italy (notably the Medici), who flaunted their status with custom bottles. However, mass glass production was rare and expensive, reserved for the wealthy. Leading families often commissioned personalized bottles adorned with their crests as symbols of power and exclusivity. These bespoke bottles served as an early form of wine marketing—anyone who acquired one became a patron and ambassador for the estate. This was a precursor to modern branding and influencer culture.
By the mid-1600s, geopolitical shifts in England led to forests being reserved for shipbuilding, restricting wood for artisans. Glassmakers turned to coal-fired furnaces, which reached higher temperatures and produced stronger, thicker glass. The brilliant Sir Kenelm Digby is credited as the father of the modern wine bottle. He revolutionized wine packaging by using advanced glass-blowing techniques and reinforcing glass with select metals and oxides. The outcome was a darker, heavier bottle—perfect for aging wine and protecting it from light. This innovation marked the return of proper wine aging, a practice not seen since Roman times.
One final innovation before moving forward: the reintroduction of cork as a bottle closure. Used since Roman times, cork was revived as the ideal stopper for glass bottles. Its porous structure allows tiny amounts of air to interact with wine, encouraging it to mature gracefully over time. Combined with glass storage, cork closures guarantee attention to detail and preserve the wine’s character, shaping the way we enjoy wine today.
If you’re eager to learn more about wine’s rich history, explore more here on the Mamablip Blog.
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