Wine

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A Gift of Arbor Red, by Nicholas Gregory © Fantasy Flight Games

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented fruit juice,[1][2] usually grapes. Numerous vintages can be found in the known world, with some vastly superior to others.

Culture

Wine is popular among the nobility, whereas the smallfolk generally prefer beer. Wine is kept in casks and served in flagons. It can be watered down when preferable,[3][4][5][6] e.g. when served to children.[7]

Wine is also used in healthcare. Boiling wine can be used to disinfect wounds prior to binding them up, either by pouring it directly into the wound[8] like firemilk[9] or by using silks drenched in boiling wine.[10]

The castle of House Celtigar on Claw Isle and the manse of Illyrio Mopatis in Pentos contain cellars with enough wine to keep a man drunk for a hundred years.[11][12]

Winesinks, taverns, inns, and brothels are popular places to drink wine and other alcoholic beverages in Westeros and Essos.[13][14]

Known Vintages

Westeros

King Robert I Baratheon's wine cellar, by Jonny Klein © Fantasy Flight Games

In Westeros, most wines are produced in the south, and the Arbor is famed for its wines.[15] The island produces both sweet[16] and dry red wines,[2] as well as white wines, the most well known of which is called "Arbor gold".[17][18][19][12][20] The private stock of Runceford Redwyne, Lord of the Arbor, is strongwine with a dark purple color, and which is languorous and heady on the tongue.[12] Other places in the Reach produce wines as well, such as sweet reds.[12] Highgarden produces hippocras.[21] Lannisport has a spiced honey wine.[22]

The Dornish, however, might refer to red wines from the Arbor as "red water".[23] The Dornish produce their own wines, often called "Dornish reds".[12] Dornish wines are generally sour,[21] though they occasionally can be sweet[2] or more rich of taste.[24][2][8] Strongwines from Dorne are as dark as blood, with a sweet taste.[25] At least circa 212 AC, Lord Ambrose Butterwell was said to have the best wines north of the Arbor.[10] On the Quiet Isle in the riverlands, small, tart grapes grow from which the septry's brothers make drinkable wines.[5]

At the Wall, the brothers of the Night's Watch drink hot mulled wine, spiced with cloves and nutmeg.[26]

Essos

Many of the cities found across the narrow sea produce their own brands of wine. Among the Free Cities, sweet red wines are produced in Lys and Volantis.[2] Lys also produces white wines, whereas the Tyroshi produce pear brandy.[2] The nectars of Myr are pale green,[2][12] though they also produce Myrish fire wines which can be used to aid digestion.[27] The wines of Selhorys are pale green as well,[20], while the Pentoshi produce pale ambers.[12] Wines from Andalos taste sour.[2]

The wine from Slaver's Bay is thin and pale.[28] Ghiscari wine is made with small, pale, yellow grapes,[6] and is widely considered to be an inferior vintage[6][29] which leaves a metallic aftertaste.[6] Other wines include apricot wine.[30]

The Unsullied from Astapor drink the wine of courage, which numbs them.[31]

Further east, other wines can be found. In Qarth, dreamwine is flavored with strange spices.[28] The warlocks of Qarth drink the shade of the evening, a thick, blue wine made from inky blue leaves found near the House of the Undying.[32] While at first this wine tastes terrible,[32][33] it becomes better the more a person drinks.[32] Constant consumption of shade of the evening causes the drinker's lips to turn blue as well.[34][35]

Unknown vintages can be found in Yi Ti and Asshai.[12] From the Jade Sea come golden vintages said to taste so fine that all other wines taste like vinegar.[36]

Miscellaneous

Other wines found in the known world are firewine,[2] pepperwine,[2] blackberry wine, which is sweet and very cloying,[27] honeyed wine, persimmon wine from Slaver's Bay[37] green-apple,[38] and smokeberry browns.[2][27]

History

According to legend, Gilbert of the Vines taught the men of the Arbor how to make sweet wine from grapes.[39]

During the First Dornish War, Lord Mertyns and his household at Mistwood were poisoned by a cask of Dornish wine.[40]

The assassin who cut the throat of Septon Moon outside Oldtown also brought him poisoned wine.[41]

The wines from the Arbor were exempted from luxury taxes introduced by Rego Draz, the master of coin for King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.[42]

The crews of Lady Meredith and Autumn Moon drank Arbor gold to celebrate sailing the farther west any ship had sailed before.[22]

Princess Alyssa Targaryen poured a flagon of Arbor gold on her brother, Prince Vaegon, after he had severely insulted their sister, Princess Daella.[22]

During the Dance of the Dragons, the Caltrops intended to murder Ser Ulf White by poisoning his wine. When Ulf became suspicious of Ser Hobert Hightower, Hobert agreed to drink from the same Arbor gold as Ulf. Both died from the poisoned wine.[43] King Aegon II Targaryen died from drinking poisoned Arbor red.[44]

After hurting Queen Cersei Lannister while having sex with her in the early years of their marriage, King Robert I Baratheon blamed his behavior on wine.[45]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

King Robert I Baratheon in his cups, by Joshua Cairós © Fantasy Flight Games

Lord Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, is murdered by his own wife, Lady Lysa Arryn, who poisons Jon's wine with the tears of Lys.[46][47]

Ser Jorah Mormont saves Princess Daenerys Targaryen from an attempted poisoning, by stopping her from drinking poisonous wine.[2]

Lancel Lannister provides King Robert I Baratheon with fortified wine, three times as strong as usual.[48] The king is mortally wounded fighting a boar in the kingswood.[49]

A Clash of Kings

In order to temporarily eliminate his sister, Queen Cersei Lannister, for a few days, Tyrion Lannister eventually resorts to poisoning her wine.[16]

Daenerys visits the Pureborn of Qarth. While the Pureborn are notorious for offering poisoned wine to those they consider dangerous, she is not even offered a cup of water.[36]

A Storm of Swords

For his support during the Battle of the Blackwater, the small council grants Lord Paxter Redwyne a thirty years remission on taxes applied to certain fine wines of the Arbor.[17]

King Joffrey I Baratheon is killed at his own wedding feast by drinking poisoned wine.[50][51] His uncle, Tyrion Lannister, is arrested for the crime.[50][23]

A Feast for Crows

Cersei Lannister's attendant pours a cup of wine, by Kate Laird © Fantasy Flight Games

Ser Jaime Lannister observes that his sister, Queen Regent Cersei, frequently has flagons of wine available, although she had criticized King Robert for his drinking when he was alive.[52]

A Dance with Dragons

When travelling towards Meereen in secret, Prince Quentyn Martell and his companions, Gerris Drinkwater and Archibald Yronwood pretend to be merchants looking to sell their Dornish wine.[29]

The giant Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun takes a liking to wine after trying it at Castle Black.[53]

During his journey through Essos, Tyrion learns that Lord Varys swapped Prince Aegon Targaryen with an infant whose features resembled Aegon close enough, preventing Aegon from being killed during the Sack of King's Landing during Robert's Rebellion. According to Aegon, Varys had purchased the child who had died in his stead by trading him for a jug of Arbor gold.[20]

Quotes

Ale, mead, and wine all featured in the evening's frolics, and Viserra partook eagerly.[22]

—writings of Gyldayn

I mean to sail to Westeros and drink the wine of vengeance from the skull of the Usurper.[36]

I'd skin you alive for a cup of wine, girl.[54]

You see the wonders than can be worked with lies and Arbor gold?[55]

Will you take a cup of Lord Hewett's wine? There's no wine half so sweet as wine taken from a beaten foe.[56]

The world is full of wine.[12]

Tyrion Lannister to himself

Japes are one way to keep the fear away. Wine's another.[57]

External Links

References

  1. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 60, Sansa VI.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
  3. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.
  4. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 2, Daenerys I.
  7. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 29, Arya V.
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Hedge Knight.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  10. 10.0 10.1 The Mystery Knight.
  11. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
  13. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  14. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach.
  16. 16.0 16.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  17. 17.0 17.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  18. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 28, Sansa III.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  23. 23.0 23.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
  24. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 8, Tyrion II.
  25. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
  26. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
  28. 28.0 28.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 50, Daenerys VIII.
  29. 29.0 29.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
  30. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 23, Daenerys IV.
  31. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
  33. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 29, Tyrion VII.
  34. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
  35. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 16, Daenerys III.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 40, Daenerys III.
  37. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 27, Daenerys III.
  38. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  39. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Garth Greenhand.
  40. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  41. Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.
  42. Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  43. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  44. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  45. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
  46. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  47. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 80, Sansa VII.
  48. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
  49. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  50. 50.0 50.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  51. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 61, Sansa V.
  52. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  53. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  54. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 74, Arya XIII.
  55. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 10, Sansa I.
  56. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
  57. The Winds of Winter, Tyrion II