Wine is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting grapes or other fruits. People have been making wine for thousands of years: ancient Greeks and Romans drank it at meals and celebrations, and it appears throughout history and literature as a symbol of festivity, culture, and sometimes excess.

The process of making wine is part of winemaking and viticulture. Grapes are crushed to release their juice, then yeast (tiny living organisms) converts the sugar in the juice into alcohol through fermentation. Different types of grapes and methods produce different wines: red, white, rosé, and sparkling varieties like Champagne. The taste of wine depends on the grape variety, where it was grown, and how it was made.

Wine appears frequently in stories, poems, and historical accounts you'll encounter in your reading. In many cultures, wine symbolizes celebration and hospitality. Wine experts, called sommeliers, can identify wines by taste and smell, a skill requiring years of training.

Wine is made for adults. Like all alcoholic beverages, wine affects how the brain works and can be harmful, which is why children aren't allowed to drink it. When you read about wine in books or see it in paintings and movies, you're encountering something that has shaped human civilization for millennia.