If you are not a wine connoisseur, then you may have no idea why wine is typically associated with romance. But even if your palate doesn’t recognise it as particularly special, there is certainly no denying the fact that for millions of people, it has become synonymous with love and romance.
Wine & Love
Wine has a very long and rich history in almost every part of the world, as it has been considered the drink of love and blissfully happy times since ancient times.
The ancient Greeks loved it, and so did the ancient Romans, and the history of wine grows even more fascinating when you consider that some of the old Roman winemakers were actually women.
In the book Wine and Philosophy: A Symposium on Thinking and Drinking by Fritz Allhoff, wine is considered a staple in social gatherings in ancient times. “A major topic of Greek ethics was pleasure”, it reads, noting that the word hēdýs was often used to refer to pleasant beverages and more generally to refer to anything that was perceived as pleasurable.
“The pleasurable life would be assumed by the majority of Greek males to involve symposia, at which fine food, pleasant drink, and entertainment of a sexual nature would all be present.”
But the fact that wine was so widely adored may have also given rise to a belief that it can be used for communicating with the spiritual world, as was popularly believed in ancient times.
As heard in many lyrics, the drink of Bacchus (or Dionysus), who is Roman mythology’s version of the Greek god of wine, can influence the themes of lust and love, or at least it should. Angry lyrics from Nancy Sinatra’s song, Summer Wine, is an example. And who would forget The Eagles’ Hotel California lyrics: “mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice.”
What Science Has to Say
According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the taste of wine can also affect your attitude and emotions.
The researchers surveyed 112 people who were then divided into two groups. One group was asked to taste white wine, while the other was given red. Both were then given the same two words to read out loud. The words were “romantic” and “tranquil.”
The results showed that people who had tasted white wine tended to agree that they felt romantic and tranquil. According to the researchers, the associations created by the wine colour could impact how a person thinks and feels. Also, the study found that people who tasted the red wine said they felt more creative and self-confident.
So, it’s apparent that wine can affect someone’s mood and emotions.
Wine & Lovers
The explanation can be found in the chemical makeup of wine, where the ethanol, or alcohol, in wine acts like a drug. The alcohol in the wine is a depressant, meaning that it slows down your brain’s functions.
However, this doesn’t mean that it necessarily makes you feel sleepy. Instead, it lowers your inhibitions. You may be more relaxed and at ease, resulting in feeling more romantic and passionate.
This is the conclusion many psychologists and psychiatrists come to, as well.
Conclusion
If you are looking for something to ignite the passion and romance in your relationship, then there are many reasons wine is the ideal choice. It’s an age-old tradition, it can make you feel relaxed and at ease and it also tastes amazing. There’s really no reason not to make wine a part of your next romantic date, Valentine’s day or every day.
Show your love with a bottle of wine! Millon Wines is an artisan boutique in Australia offering a range of wines, from Flamingo Moscato to Clare’s Secret Rosé, for your next romantic night. Place your order now!