🍷 Dolium
A large round Roman clay vessel for fermenting wine.
A dolium is a large round clay vessel that was used in ancient Rome for wine and other goods. It is very roomy, with a wide mouth and rounded sides. The word is Latin.
The Romans fermented wine in dolia and stored it there. The vessels were often sunk into the ground, partly or fully, to keep the wine cool. The mouth was closed with a lid or stopper and sealed with pitch or clay. For transporting wine they used not dolia but lighter, narrower amphorae.
The dolium belongs to the clay vessels for wine, like the Georgian qvevri or the Spanish tinaja. Clay has porous walls that let in a little air but give the wine no oak flavour. That is why some winemakers today return to this method and make wine again in modern clay vessels.
The story of the dolium is part of the story of wine in ancient Rome, where viticulture was already a developed trade.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a dolium?
It is a large Roman clay vessel for fermenting and storing wine.
How does a dolium differ from an amphora?
A dolium is large and stayed in place, while an amphora is light, narrow and meant for transport.
Are dolia used today?
Some winemakers again use modern clay vessels similar to dolia.