- This event has passed.
Gods, Myths, and Empire: Wine in the Greco-Roman World
September 13, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presented by Jill Weber, Ph.D., archaeologist, restaurateur, and President of the Board, Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia
What if terroir wasn’t just referring to composition of soil but also to the history and myths of a region? Jill Weber, Ph.D. brings us to ancient Greece and Rome, where wine did not originate but was consumed and celebrated in ways that transformed its cultural significance from being bound to the sacred and guided by ritual, to entering daily life. Jill will trace the journey of wine from stories of heroes and emperors to daily enjoyment and consumption. We will explore how this shift also expanded the geographic boundaries of large-scale wine production, encompassing many of the Old-World regions from which wine is celebrated today.
AFCDV’s Fall Somm Series kicks off with this companion piece to the cultural exhibit “Drinking with the Gods,” currently on display at La Cité du Vin. Our presenter is Jill Weber, Ph.D. and a professional archaeologist who finds great pleasure in expanding “terroir” to include the myths and artifacts upon which modern grapes grow. When not traveling and working on excavations, she is a restaurateur and serves as Board President of Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia.
Jill will lead a tasting of three wines as she weaves her stories that are inspired and complemented by the 2021 Cultural Exhibit at La Cité du Vin.
About the wine
Dr. Jill has curated a list of three wines to taste our way through history! They are available for purchase through our partner, Tribeca Wine Merchants. Please reach out to lauren@tribecawine.com to order. $99 for the 3-pack or purchase separately.
- Tour de Gendres Petillant Naturel NV, Bergerac, France. ($25) A zippy Pét Nat blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc & 30% Chenin Blanc.
- Arndorfer Gemischter Satz ‘Terrassen 1958’ 2018, Kamptal, Austria. ($39) A small production Kamptal (white) with a blend of 60% Neuburger, 25% Gruner and 15% Riesling.
- Troupis Nemea 2019, Peloponnese, Greece. ($35) A small estate-bottled red of 100% agiorgtiko.
About our Presenter
Jill Weber, Ph.D., archaeologist, restaurateur, radio personality, and President of the Board, Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia
Jill Weber holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and is a professional archaeologist with over 25 years experience working in and around the Middle East, in Turkey, Syria, Armenia, Oman, and Iraq, serving as project zooarchaeologist at many well-known sites in Syria, including Tell Brak, Umm el-Marra, Tell Banat, and Tell Sweyhat.
An avid traveler and wine lover who enjoys teaching others about the wonderful world of wine, she particularly enjoys “Ancient World Wines” and finds great pleasure in expanding “terroir” to include the myths and artifacts upon which modern grapes grow. Jill shares her wine experiences and stories in wine tastings at Jet Wine Bar and through the Geographical Society of Philadelphia and Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia, both for which she currently sits as President of the Board.
She is a renowned restaurateur with four Philadelphia restaurants: Jet Wine Bar, Rex at the Royal, Sor Ynez, and Café Ynez. And when not on a “dig” or managing one of her establishments, Jill has her own radio show, Digging Into Dining, on SiriusXM Business Channel 132. She has also been featured by Cherry Bombe Radio, Girl’s Night In, and Pennsylvania Wines. You can find Jill on Instagram @jetjill and @jetwinebar.
How to Register
To attend this event, you must have an account on this website — it’s free and easy to sign up! Scroll down and click “Log in to purchase.” You’ll be able to register with just your email address, and then you’ll be redirected to this page to complete your purchase. If you already have an account, just log in here and then you’ll be able to purchase a ticket to the virtual event. If you have an active Membership, the ticket fee will be waived.
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with the private Zoom event link, and the link will be visible to you on the event webpage. If you experience any technical difficulties or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us
AFCDV is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation or ticket purchase is tax-deductible as allowed by law.