Lukacs

For the wine enthusiast in your life (not excluding that hardworking person in the mirror), consider an afternoon outing to Politics and Prose this Saturday, or go solo to pick them up an autographed copy of Inventing Wine: A New History of One of the World’s Most Ancient Pleasures. Paul Lukacs will be talking about his latest book (W.W. Norton, December 2012) at the store on December 8 at 3:30 p.m.

Much has been written about wine, but as Inventing Wine‘s introduction states, “this book tells a new story.” Lukacs debunks the notion that wine hasn’t changed since B.C.E. innovators began making it in what is now the country of Georgia. Chemically it is the same, but like humankind, wine has taken an epic journey over the past 8,000 years.

Lukacs says that wine was probably first tasted as a natural product, then replicated and consumed for its nutrients, as essential as water. Because of these qualities, wine was seen as a magical gift from the gods to humans. Around the Renaissance, it started being valued as a source of social pleasure. By the 19th century, not only had wine’s taste been refined, but those who enjoyed it were thought to be refined. Since then, revolutions in winemaking have allowed more people from all backgrounds and budgets to appreciate its benefits.

Inventing Wine tells the story of wine as it intersects with places and people in history. Unique from other alcohol, wine has affected culinary, social, political, and economic circles in different ways depending on who was producing and consuming it.

For example: Pharaohs in ancient Egypt drank wine, while lower classes drank a variation of beer. Young men in the 1700s stood no chance of climbing up the societal ladder without some wine expertise; it was as important as knowing not to belt your breeches while wearing a waistcoat (very). American attitudes toward wine transformed during Prohibition, and it only became legal to make outside California in the mid-20th century. Today, wine is produced in all 50 states, and attractions like vineyard tours and tastings offer even more opportunity for expanded wine-horizons and business. Cheers to that.

Lukacs is a wine educator, advisor, and English professor, and he evaluates thousands of wines every year. He has written two previous prize-winning books, The Great Wines of America: The Top Forty Vintners, Vineyards, and Vintages and American Vintage: The Rise of American Wine. He writes weekly for The Washington Times and has contributed to Washingtonian and Saveur magazines. Living in Baltimore, he also serves a consultant to D.C. area restaurants on their wine lists and pairings.

This event is free to the public, and Lukacs will be answering questions and signing books after his talk.