Innovation No. 52 of 77 in the book
The Wine Label
Jars marked with vineyard, year, and maker
- When
- c. 1350 BCE
- Dynasty
- 18th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
Egyptian wine jars from around 1350 BCE carry the world’s first wine labels — and they note almost exactly what a modern label does.
Written on each jar in ink: the vintage year, the vineyard and region, and the name of the chief winemaker. Some even rate the quality — ‘good wine,’ ‘very good wine.’
Tutankhamun was buried with labeled jars; from them we know his cellar’s vintages and estates by name.
The idea of naming a wine by year and vineyard started on the Nile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the wine label in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1350 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (18th Dynasty). Egyptian wine jars from around 1350 BCE carry the world’s first wine labels — and they note almost exactly what a modern label does.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the wine label, and what is its legacy?
Written on each jar in ink: the vintage year, the vineyard and region, and the name of the chief winemaker. Some even rate the quality — ‘good wine,’ ‘very good wine.’ Written on each jar in ink: the vintage year, the vineyard and region, and the name of the chief winemaker. Some even rate the quality — ‘good wine,’ ‘very good wine.’ The idea of naming a wine by year and vineyard started on the Nile.