Wine has been made by almost every civilization throughout history. It has played a part in religious ceremonies from Dionysus and Bacchus in ancient Greece and Rome to the Catholic Eucharist and the Jewish Kiddush; it has inspired artists, thinkers, writers and poets through the ages; has been used as a medicine by the healing professions; and has been a pleasant relaxant for a huge number of people. Yet overindulgence causes drunkenness and bad behaviour, and this has led to both spirited condemnation, and joyful justification, of its consumption. Wine can make you stupid or philosophical; it can heal wounds or damage health; it can bring society together or rend it apart. In Wine: A Cultural History eminent art historian John Varriano takes us on a tour of wine's history, revealing the polarizing effect wine has had on society and culture through the ages. Wine: A Cultural History will delight all those who like a glass of Pinot Noir with their dinner, as well as those who are interested in the rich history of human creativity and consumption. Book jacket.