Page 26 - JOA-Apr-22

by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor
with Katherine Larson, curator of ancient glass, CMoG

Background image: Keuka Lake, Scott Herder Courtesy of Brave World Media

he entwined histories of glass and wine extend learn glass’s broader role in the science, creativity, and
back thousands of years, from lavish feasts of history of wine from thousands of years ago to today.
Tancient Rome to the polite society of Britain in This is one venture where science and nature came
the 1700s, to formal dinner parties of post-war America, together to form a libation steeped in history and sipped
to an essential experience within our contemporary and celebrated over time.
food culture. The strength, impermeability, and To many people, the story of glass and wine is a tale
versatility of glass have played an important of hedonism, about the experience of
role in every step of wine’s journey, tasting wine from a fine piece of hand-
from the production, distribution, sale, blown stemware. To others, it is a story of
and ultimately the enjoyment of this strength, of the glass bottles that make
intoxicating beverage. champagne and other sparkling wines possible,
Facet-Cut Goblet, 300-600 because they can contain the pressure of
(Iran or Central Asia) On Exhibit carbonation. And to others still, glass tools are
Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass critical to the process of winemaking, helping to
Fire & Vine: The Story of Glass and Wine has
been on exhibit at the Corning Museum of ensure a successful harvest and fermentation.
Glass (CMoG) since July 3, 2021 and will
continue to be on view through the end of Ancient Times
2022 – a lucky thing for people who have not In a 2017 article from BBC News, Scientists
had the chance to travel and visit amid an Wine Cup on had discovered an 8,000-year-old pottery
ongoing pandemic. This exciting exhibition Wooden Stand, fragment containing evidence of the earliest
just happens to be near the New York State 1850- 1911 Courtesy of making of grape wine. These were discovered in
Finger Lakes wine district (there are eleven Corning Museum of Glass Georgia, a country located at the intersection of
designated American Viticultural Areas in Europe and Asia along the Black Sea. On those
New York – the Finger Lakes region was established in jars were images of grape clusters and a man dancing.
the 19th century). Sponsors of the exhibition are Finger Apropos for the early beginnings of this drink of the gods.
Lakes Wine Country (in Corning), Dr. Konstantin It was not until 4,000 years later in 2,000 BC that
Frank Winery in nearby Hammondsport, and the glass was first being made. This glass was not the clear,
Pleasant Valley Wine Company, just a few minutes from delicate glass used to see and drink wine today, but was
Goblet with Stem, 400-500 the Frank Winery, all off of Route 390/86. opaque and made to look like they were made of
Aside from the culture and adventure of traveling precious stones. These were used in many ceremonies
Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass
through New York State’s wine country is the chance to that were religious and political in nature, giving wine

Goblet, 1600-1700 Finger Lakes Wine Country Courtesy of Stu Gallagher Photography Display in the Fire & Vine Exhibit Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass
Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass
24 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles