Wine vs Mead

When you think of mead or wine, chances are two very different images come to mind. These two alcoholic beverages have been debated for centuries.

Mead has been experiencing a resurgence with the rise of craft beer and distilling movements. This has caused more people to wonder if there is any difference between mead and wine. These two may be confused with each other since mead is also known as honey wine.

While both are fermented, there are key differences in the ingredients used to make these two drinks. Wine is made from fermented fruit juice, usually grape juice. Mead, on the other hand, is made from fermented honey. Both require yeast, and mead takes the addition of water.

Both wine and mead have long histories.

In fact, mead actually has a longer history than wine. It may even be considered the oldest alcoholic drink in history. Mead's use can be traced through many different early cultures. One of the first references of mead can be traced to India about 4000 years ago. There is also mention of mead in early China, Egypt, Norway, Celtic regions, and Greece.

In Greece, the drink was actually referred to as the nectar of the Gods or ambrosia. This is because bees were believed to be messengers of the Gods, and mead was made from honey.

Wine history, on the contrary, is not as global. Wine used in early times was limited to the Mediterranean and Middle East region, mainly because these were the regions where grapes grew. However, global trade caused wine to spread all over the globe. People began using wine for ceremonies and celebrations turning it into the flourishing, popular drink it is today.

The question of mead vs. wine will always come down to personal preferences and mood. 

Today fine quality wine is a symbol of status and class. However, you can easily find high-quality mead without putting a dent in your finances.

You’ll find informative articles on our site about winemaking, mead brewing, the history of these ancient arts, and updates on industry innovations. We will keep you up to date on your favorite drink and the exciting things you can look forward to in the future.

Let’s raise our glasses together.