Only the best... Biblical wine history part 1

It's amazing to me how much delicious historical detail there is about wine and ancient wine history in the Bible. There are over 500 references to wine and other viticultural descriptions throughout the old and new testaments. Most references refer to either wine itself or the vineyards where wine begins. However, there are discussions of the use of a wine-press, wine-skins, "fermented drinks." The Bible discusses wine-vats, wine jars (Jer40), grapes, and wine that is "well-refined" or aged long on the "lees" (Isaiah25) or wine that is young "left on it's dregs" (Jer48). It's clear that the 1st thing Noah cultivated when he and his family came out of the ark was a vineyard (Gen9). In future posts I will show that vineyards in biblical times were harvested for wine grapes & to a lesser degree vinegar made from sour wine. God even commanded his covenant people to observe special feast days (i.e. Deut 16:13-17) where grain was to be gathered and wine "from your winepress," that involved a great feast w/rejoicing that included men, women, widows, and foreigners as well. The biblical account of Jesus at the wedding of Cana in John's gospel (chap2) is a beautiful record of just how important wine was

in ancient & biblical times. It records for us today that over 2 millinia ago it was the practice

of an ancient palastine wedding to first, serve a large quantity of wine (120-180 gallons) and 2nd, to serve the quality or best wine first and after the tastes have become sufficiently dulled "cheaper wine" would be served. In this case Jesus' grand miracle turned water into quality wine or "choice wine" at the start of the wedding in order to demonstrate His divinity and provide a glorious blessing to all the guests. Later on in John's gospel (chap15) Jesus would relate ones true relationship to Him in viticultural terms when he declared, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit... As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." Abiding in Jesus is compared to the process by which a vine transfers nutrients to the fruit of the vine. In the vineyard this is called translocution. Perhaps we could abide in Him by enjoying the BEST wine?