Although wine has been a beverage that was discovered thousands of years ago, the image it portrays in different societies and cultures is quite interesting. In the western world, wine is considered to be a symbol of class, for someone who likes to drink 'light' or something that helps you appreciate alcohol in a so called civilized manner. Wine is also used in cooking and as a add-on to many wonderful styles of cooking - Italian food in particular. However, when you step to the other side of the globe, the image begins to tarnish a little.



In the eastern side of the globe, especially in the Middle East, wine or any other alcoholic beverages are banned. With the country of U.A.E coming in as an exception, all other countries in that Islamic region say a big no to wine or any other alcoholic beverages. In fact, some of these countries have laws that are considered outright 'barbaric' when compared to the rest of the world. Isn't it ironic that the region that despises wine the most today use to be the host of the worlds biggest wine drinking population at one point?

If you do decide to travel that 'not so friendly to wine drinkers' region, the promised lands are not that far. A little bit further down central Asia comes the open to all wine lovers countries such as Cyprus (Where the first wine was originally created), France and other European countries. Wine in Europe is second only to water, I will actually go a little further and say that wine is the 'juice' of Europe. Europe is the destination for the wine lover in you as its packed with beautiful wineries and carries a rich wine history. The bars in countries like Germany and Sweden are open very late when compared to their Northern American counterparts and get this . . . most of them are out doors! It's like going to a friends house who has the most awesome patio. Ofcourse when you go on this trip, you must visit France - the official motherland of wine.

French wines are considered to be one of the best ones in the world and also the most expensive. You can also find wine that age back to hundreds of years, but careful when you ask for a taste as they will be quite heavy on your wallet.I didn't mention the far east so much as most of these countries just import wine from Europe and other North American countries. As they were not blessed by the fruit essential to wine making which is the grape. Japan is the only country in that region that is actually just began to make and export their own wine on an international level.

Needless to say, wine is here to stay and it is growing in popularity at its own rate. The more people understand it, the better it is for all. I say you and I have a drink to that!