Chian wine facts for kids

Chian wine was a special drink made on the Greek island of Chios. It was one of the most famous and expensive wines in ancient times. People believed it was the first "black wine," which is what they called red wine back then.

Chian Wine in Ancient Greece

Chian wine was sent in large amounts to ancient Athens starting around 500 BC. We know this because many old clay jars (called amphorae) from Chios have been found there.

Writers like Plutarch and Athenaios said Chian wine was a very expensive luxury in classical Greece. However, notes on the discovered jars suggest it might have been more affordable than they thought. For example, a large jar of Chian wine might cost two drachmas. Local wines, though, were much cheaper, costing only a few obols for the same amount.

In the 5th century BC, a writer named Hermippus praised how good Chian wine was. Centuries later, Strabo thought the wine from the Ariusium area of Chios was the best in all of Greece.

Chian Wine in Ancient Rome

Before about 1 AD, Chian wine was rare and costly in ancient Rome. It was mostly used in small amounts as medicine, which was common for rare foods and drinks back then. Otherwise, it was seen as an extreme luxury.

For example, the writer Horace mentioned Chian wine in his Satires in the 1st century BC. He wrote about a character who served it at a very fancy dinner party to show off.

After about 1 AD, Chian wine became more common at big parties and public events in Rome. It was still highly valued for its medicinal uses. Important writers like Galen and Pliny ranked it among the finest wines.