Vin- & Slagmarker – Romerne

Vin- & Slagmarker – Romerne Vin- & Slagmarker Romerne

When I’m on holiday, I often look for two things: an interesting winery to visit and something fascinating to experience. As I come from a family of historians, that often leads me to historical museums and battlefields. For this wine tasting, I’ve teamed up with my brother, military historian Lars Bangert Struwe, whom many people know as a TV expert on security policy and host of the Geopol podcast. I’ve selected five fascinating wines to talk about, all from wine regions where history has quite literally been written into the soil. Lars will reveal the dramatic events that unfolded close to these vineyards – and give you insider tips on the best museums in the area, should you feel like travelling there yourselves.

This isn’t just a wine tasting. It’s a time machine, with a glass in your hand.

Perfect for curious wine lovers, history buffs with a taste for wine – or anyone looking for a different kind of experience.

The evening’s programme – The Roman Empire left its mark on most of Europe and all along the Mediterranean coast. The legionaries marched over one hill after another, probably dreaming of nothing but a peaceful retirement on a vineyard, where they could grow the vines they had brought with them. The legatus legionis, who led the legionaries, had other dreams: fame and power. We visit five of the battlefields that brought the Romans the greatest fame – and infamy.

The Rhineland and the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest

Wine: 2023 Riesling Organic, Dreissigacker

In AD 9, three Roman legions were wiped out in an ambush led by Arminius. The defeat shocked Rome and fixed the border at the Rhine.

Along this border, the Rhineland developed into a classic wine region. The Romans brought viticulture with them – today, the region is known for Riesling and Spätburgunder.

Umbria/Lazio and the Battle of the Allia

Wine: 2024 Bramito del Cervo Bianco, Castello della Sala

In 390 BC, the Roman army was defeated at the Allia, and Rome was subsequently sacked. The defeat became a trauma that led to reforms and a stronger army.

The area around Rome is among Europe’s oldest wine-growing regions. Both the republic and the Roman wine tradition took root here.

Marche and the Battle of the Metaurus

Wine: 2022 Marche Sangiovese Organic, Cantine Volpi

In 207 BC, Carthaginian general Hasdrubal was defeated and killed before he could join his famous brother Hannibal. This was the turning point in the Second Punic War.

Marche became a stable part of the Roman heartland and is now known for Verdicchio and Sangiovese.

Burgundy and the Battle of Alesia

Wine: 2022 Côte de Beaune Rouge, Maison Joseph Drouhin

In 52 BC, Julius Cæsar besieged Vercingetorix at Alesia. Roman engineering secured victory and control over Gaul.

Burgundy is now one of the world’s most famous wine regions, with roots in the Roman organisation of wine production.

Apulia and the Battle of Cannae

Wine: 2022 Torcicoda Primitivo, Tormaresca

In 216 BC, Hannibal wiped out a huge Roman army at Cannae with a classic double envelopment – a textbook example of tactics that is still used in strategy teaching today.

Apulia was a rich agricultural region in antiquity and is now known for powerful wines such as Primitivo.

2023 Riesling Organic, Dreissigacker 184,95 2024 Bramito del Cervo Bianco, IGT, Castello della Sala 249,95 2022 Marche Sangiovese Organic, IGT, Cantine Volpi 119,95 2022 Cote de Beaune Rouge, AOP, Maison Joseph Drouhin 639,95 2022 Torcicoda Primitivo, IGT, Tormaresca 249,95

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