Do you know cannabis wine ? Something to bring together lovers of good bottles and lovers of weed ! Discover this trend with Beaux-Vins…
I was talking about relax with a glass of wine with your cat or the song Raclette, Comics, Bicycle in the article on raclette and wine pairings so I said to myself "what if I were talking about cannabis wine? ? ". This article does not constitute a personal opinion on the subject.. I only try to present in the most neutral way possible a state of affairs. I would remind you, however, that wine is a product to be consumed in moderation and drugs a product not to be consumed at all..
Wine and cannabis, an alliance as old as the world
According to archaeologists, the first traces of wine fortified with cannabis date back to 3.700 years back. This drink was originally used for religious purposes and as an anesthetic for operations.
Medical use dates back to the 28th century BC. In China, during the second century AD, archaeologists have found records indicating that the founder of Chinese surgery, Hua Tuo, used wine fortified with cannabis resin to reduce pain during surgery. — on the painting below, the general is still playing a board game while having his arm operated on… it must have been a good cocktail —.
Selon Carl Ruck, professor of classical studies at Boston University, initiates of different religions also drank psychoactive wine as part of their practice. The participants in the Eleusinian Mysteries in ancient Greece and the early Christians - it is the blood of Christ, my son - are two of the most well-known groups for using cannabis-infused wine, but are far from the only ones.
According to the Smithsonianmag, further proof of this practice has been provided by 2013 when discovering a wine cellar, going back to 1.600 before. Christ, in present-day Israel. Inside this room were the remains of 40 jars having contained wine. After analysis, scientists have discovered traces of aromatic herbs, with honey, berries or psychotropic resins.
From wine to cannabis with our ancestors the Gauls ?
In a Gallic tomb, archaeologists have discovered a vase containing wine infused with hemp. In Europe, this is the very first time that cannabis sativa has been discovered in a grave. Archaeologists believe that these plant fragments, just like the resin, could be added to wine to flavor it and certainly give it a psychotropic effect.
Who was this Gallic cannabis consumer and lover of good wine ? Buried at the end of the 2nd century BC. J-C., the sex of the body has not been identified. We know, however, that he had between 40 to 60 years at his death.
This discovery echoes a previous one : in October 2016, a skeleton buried in a cannabis shroud was found in Tourfan in northwest China. The presence of this plant could, according to the researchers, be for medical use.
A comeback in the United States
The tradition of Cannabis-infused Wine began in California in the years 70. It was mainly produced with rosé wine to be consumed discreetly. The high production cost and the risks associated with its consumption are still significant, it was difficult to own it without producing it yourself. Today, red wines are preferred with grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and the use of a hybrid Sativa / Indica herb variety. It is also possible to find the grape varieties Syrah, Cabernet, Grenache, Viognier or Chardonnay.
The very first company to produce in 2013 — officially - this beverage is called Mary Jane Wines. This wine is specially indicated for reasons medical - more than recreational —, because there is no heating, it is simply cold pressed or results from the fermentation of cannabis leaves in the barrel. THC in cannabis therefore does not have the same effects on the body.. The effect is slower, more durable and subtle. There is no euphoria for the consumer, but a feeling of relaxation. It is intended primarily for people with sleep disorders or anxiety problems.
What has allowed the tiptoe of cannabis-infused wine to make a comeback in the United States is obviously the evolution of legislation that increasingly decriminalizes the consumption of this drug.. Le Colorado, Washington, l’Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia have passed legislation legalizing the use of marijuana, 14 States have decriminalized certain amounts of possession and 23 States, more DC have legalized medical consumption.
Cannabis wine also present in Europe
Spanish legislation being less restrictive since 2007, a Catalan winemaker produces part of his wine - 600 bottles all the same - by infusing cannabis in its tanks. Legally, it is forbidden to trade in it, but the cultivation of this controversial plant is no longer prohibited there. The winemaker's experience seems to have revealed some advantages of this practice for the taste qualities and for the preservation of the wine.. The sulfur ended up being completely useless and therefore was removed in the winemaking process.. A French winemaker who brought a bottle of this wine home analyzed the taste qualities of the wine after opening. According to him, the wine had not undergone any alteration after one year of regular consumption.
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But France is not to be outdone with weed wine. To tell you "no winegrower produces this kind of drink in France" would be lying to you.. It is done in the greatest discretion and the sale undercover. French legislation on this drug remains very penalizing - right or wrong - and is not likely to evolve any time soon. The legislation on alcohol is also very rigid and this was recently seen with the difficulty in relaxing the Evin law.
There is therefore no chance that we will one day see this kind of product in France and it is not worse. It is also possible to make the mixture directly at home and there are even agreements vins/weeds. — mixing alcohol and drugs being a very dangerous cocktail I will not expand on the subject any further —
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