Celtic Wine: Mead

Filed in archive German Wines on March 17, 2008

On St. Patrick's Day, it's appropriate to discuss one of the oldest wines around-Mead. This spiced, honey-based wine was first discussed in Hindu writings around 1700 BC and in the writings of ancient greece (around 700 BC). However, it was the Celtic and Northern European nations that embraced the beverage. Mead makes an appearance in the Anglo-Saxon classic, "Beowulf." It is even the source of the English word, "honeymoon." In Medieval times, a newly married couple was given enough mead to last a month (or a moon) to help their marriage get off to a good start-hence "honeymoon."

Mead is still a popular beverage in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Many varieties are available online, including that made at Ireland's historic Bunratty Castle.

^{(photo © Dusan Zidau/Dreamstime.com)}