Wine Linked to Power & Love Through History
Why this is here: Eleanor of Aquitaine’s marriage included the lands of Bordeaux, turning French wine into an obsession for the English court during the Middle Ages.
In Lima, Peru, writer explores how wine accompanied pivotal figures—Cleopatra, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Napoleon—and their defining moments. The author connects historical events to specific wines, suggesting pairings that evoke the atmosphere of each era.
Cleopatra reportedly dissolved a pearl in wine to demonstrate wealth to Mark Antony, a display of power linked to sweet Mediterranean wines like Passito di Pantelleria. Eleanor of Aquitaine brought the Bordeaux vineyards as part of her marriage to Henry II, establishing Claret as a symbol of English aristocracy.
Napoleon found solace in Gevrey-Chambertin, both during military campaigns and in attempts to reconcile with Josephine. Shakespeare used wine as a metaphor for passionate, dangerous love in Romeo and Juliet, suggesting an Amarone della Valpolicella would suit the play’s tragic romance.
The article acknowledges that while wine has long been a cultural touchstone, determining the exact wines consumed by historical figures remains speculative. It concludes that sharing a glass continues a long tradition of celebration and remembrance.
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