Szent Márton és a Bor Kapcsolatának Története

The History of the Relationship between St. Martin and Wine

Martin's day, the celebration of grapes and wine. According to tradition, on this day the must (fresh grape juice) turns into wine, crowning the harvest season.

Martin's Day is not only a wine holiday, but also a kind of cultural event, which is celebrated in the name of good wine and friendly company. Tasting new wine in wineries is a tradition that reminds us of the natural changes of the year.

New wines for St. Martin's Day 2023

Over the centuries, wine and grapes have been intertwined with many legends and mythologies. Arthur George's book "The Mythology of Wine" explores these stories and a deeper understanding of the culture of wine. A brief summary of the story follows.

Saint Martin, the most famous patron saint of wine culture, played a key role in the wine culture of Gaul. He is the son of a military officer who served in the Roman army, whose life changed completely when he was riding a horse in Gaul on a winter day. He shared his red cloak with a cold beggar, causing him to find himself in a deep dream where Jesus praised his mercy.

After dreaming of the apparition of Christ at the age of 18, Martin was baptized, left the army and became a monk. Despite his stubborn reluctance, he became the bishop of Caesarodunum (later Tours), a rank he did not want to accept, so he tried to escape. During Martin's legendary escape, he tried to hide in a goose barn, thus the goose became one of his symbols, and this is how the tradition of roasting a goose dedicated to St. Martin's Day was born.

Watching over the monastic vineyards in Tours, Márton contributed to the development of viticulture. According to legends, he is responsible for the development of Chenin Blanc and the foundation of the Vouvré vineyards. He is also credited with developing the traditional low buttress system in the Loire Valley, inspired by a tale in which a donkey was tied to a vine.

Pieter Bruegel The Wine of Saint Martin's Day

Painting photo source: Wikipedia

Márton's relationship with wine continued with miracles, such as the miraculous refilling of wine jugs when they were placed next to his grave. St. Martin's Day, November 11, is the day of tasting new vintage wine, the tradition of which has spread to the world of works of art, for example Pieter Bruegel's painting "St. Martin's Wine".

The festive atmosphere of St. Martin's Day, which takes place before Advent, has become a kind of prelude to the holiday season. Ironically, the term "St. Martin's disease" denoted drunkenness, and Martin's name thus became a word form, meaning "drinking." Martin Luther, named after the saint, ironically started the Reformation, which adversely affected Europe's wine industry.

Source: Arthur George "The Mythology of Wine"

Martin's Day new wine tasting

Taste new wines on Martin's Day, celebrate the harvest and enjoy the rich world of wines!

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