What Dominic Sandbrook has said about History of wine

Sandbrook said Georgians consider their country the oldest wine-producing place on earth and that most people would agree.

“They argue that Georgia is the place on earth where wine has been produced for longer than anywhere else”

The Rest Is History: 666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 10:44

Sandbrook suggested post-Roman barbarians preferred beer partly because it is easier to produce.

“Well, beer is easier to produce. You don't need such a sophisticated system to produce beer”

The Rest Is History: 666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 23:53

Sandbrook argued that wine retained prestige after Rome because it was a marker of sophistication tied to Roman culture.

“Isn't the point that wine then, as now, is a marker of sophistication?”

The Rest Is History: 666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 24:45

Sandbrook noted that wine drinking in England remained elite, with most English people not drinking wine as late as the 1950s.

“as late as the 1950s most english people never ever drank wine in any given year”

The Rest Is History: 666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 57:13

Sandbrook disagreed with Holland's framing of wine history as partnership, arguing it is about competition.

“That's a nice note on which to end. I think it's about competition, frankly,”

The Rest Is History: 666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 1:11:58