I think the guy is a bit of a wine snob. The Romans were quite sophisticated and I sincerely doubt those able to access the better wines of their age would have accepted any "funky" wines at their table. I am more than certain they were serving wines that were quite complex, wonderful to savor and a superb compliment to the cuisine of their age. This was a completely different culture with a remarkably different palate. The Romans had totally different expectations for their food and drinks. To say that modern wine making practices are in some way better than the ancient Romans is simply not acceptable. It is really apples and oranges. Be it yeast or the gods, I know the Roman vinters were bringing their wines to a place where they would be acceptable even at the tables of the most demanding of emperors (be in Commodus or anyone else for that matter). Even comparing modern day Italian and Californian wines would be a futile endeavor as far as I'm concerned. I do wish I had been present for the evening's flights of wines however.
I think the guy is a bit of a wine snob. The Romans were quite sophisticated and I sincerely doubt those able to access the better wines of their age would have accepted any "funky" wines at their table. I am more than certain they were serving wines that were quite complex, wonderful to savor and a superb compliment to the cuisine of their age. This was a completely different culture with a remarkably different palate. The Romans had totally different expectations for their food and drinks. To say that modern wine making practices are in some way better than the ancient Romans is simply not acceptable. It is really apples and oranges. Be it yeast or the gods, I know the Roman vinters were bringing their wines to a place where they would be acceptable even at the tables of the most demanding of emperors (be in Commodus or anyone else for that matter). Even comparing modern day Italian and Californian wines would be a futile endeavor as far as I'm concerned. I do wish I had been present for the evening's flights of wines however.
Bacchus huh? Yeah okay