Unveiling the Ancient Bond Between Wine and the Olympics

From Vine to Victory. How Wine Fueled the Ancient Olympic Spirit.

It was my last night on the island of Santorini, and the sunset was painting the sky with hues of gold and crimson as I sat at a quaint taverna overlooking the Caldera. With a glass of Assyrtiko in hand, I was savoring the crisp, mineral notes with fantastically intertwined aromas of lime sorbet and honey powder when the taverna’s sommelier—a fellow wine enthusiast and a local with a deep knowledge of the island’s history—approached my table. We had exchanged pleasantries over the past few days, but tonight, there was a special kind of energy in the air...“You know,” he began, with a smile that hinted at a story, “there’s a tradition as old as these very cliffs. Wine and the Olympic Games have always been intertwined, from ancient Greece to today.”As two sommeliers, we both understood the power of wine to connect people, but the more he spoke, the more I realized just how deep that connection ran. He painted a picture of ancient Greece, where wine wasn’t just a drink, but a sacred ritual, a symbol of victory, and a celebration of life.

Toasting to Ancient Glory —In Ancient Greece, wine was more than a drink; it was a symbol of victory and divine celebration.

The Sacred Connection Between Wine and the Olympic Games

The ancient Olympic Games were far more than just athletic competitions—they were a grand celebration of the very essence of life, held in honor of Zeus, the king of the gods. These games were a blend of physical strength, religious rituals, and cultural festivities, with wine at the heart of it all. As my fellow sommelier explained, wine was revered as a divine gift from Dionysus, the god of wine and festivity. The Greeks believed that by drinking wine, they connected with the divine, bringing themselves closer to the gods and honoring traditions passed down through generations.

Religious Rituals and Wine

In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were steeped in religious significance. Before the competitions began, libations of wine were poured out to Zeus and other gods to seek their favor. These rituals were as integral to the Games as the athletic events themselves. The athletes, spectators, and even the organizers believed that offering wine to the gods ensured the success of the Games and the well-being of all who participated.The sommelier and I clinked our glasses, acknowledging how this ancient practice of toasting to the gods has evolved into a universal gesture of celebration and respect. Even today, the act of raising a glass carries with it echoes of these ancient rituals.

A Celebration of Victory in The Symposium

As the conversation flowed, my colleague recounted the role of the symposium—a central institution in ancient Greece where intellectuals, poets, and athletes gathered to discuss philosophy, politics, and, of course, enjoy wine. Olympic victors were often the guests of honor at these events, where their achievements were celebrated with toasts of wine.We both appreciated how the symposium wasn’t just a party—it was a way to honor the victors and celebrate the values that the Games represented. Wine was central to these gatherings, not just as a drink, but as a symbol of victory, joy, and community. It was a way to bring people together, to celebrate life, and to honor the gods who had blessed them with success.

Prominent Figures and Their Love for Wine

As the night deepened and the wine in our glasses reflected the stars overhead, my fellow sommelier spoke of some of ancient Greece’s most notable figures, who were known not only for their association with the Olympic Games but also for their love of wine.Themistocles, the Athenian general who led the Greeks to victory against the Persians at the Battle of Salamis, was also an Olympic victor in chariot racing. His celebrations were legendary, with wine flowing freely as a symbol of both his personal achievements and the glory of Athens. We both smiled at the thought of Themistocles, a man of war and wisdom, unwinding with a cup of wine after a hard-fought victory.Then there was Pythagoras, the philosopher best known for his eponymous theorem. Pythagoras believed in the harmonious balance of body and mind—a philosophy that extended to his moderate consumption of wine. He encouraged his followers to drink in moderation, believing it was key to maintaining health and intellectual clarity. Though he didn’t compete in the Games, he was a frequent spectator, appreciating how the Olympics brought together physical and intellectual excellence—often over a shared cup of wine.

The Legacy of Wine in the Olympic Games

As our conversation wound down and the last of the Assyrtiko was sipped, we raised our glasses one final time. “This ancient connection between wine and the Olympics,” my friend said, “is a reminder of how deeply rooted these traditions are in our shared history.”The Games were never just about who could run the fastest or jump the highest. They were about celebrating life, honoring the gods, and bringing people together. Wine, in this context, was more than a drink; it was a symbol of everything the Olympics stood for—victory, unity, joy, and the divine.And so, on that warm Santorini night, two sommeliers toasted not just to the athletes of the present, but to the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games and the ancient tradition of celebrating life with a glass of wine in hand.