🍷 Wineskin

A wineskin is a bag made from the skin of a goat or sheep, used to store and carry wine, water or milk. The skin was taken off whole, all openings were sewn shut except one, and the liquid was poured in through it. The wineskin is one of the oldest vessels: it has been known for thousands of years among many peoples.

In ancient Greece and Rome, wine was transported in wineskins. The inside could be coated with resin so that the leather did not let liquid through or spoil the flavour. The vessel was light, did not break and could ride on a pack animal. That is why nomads and travellers liked it.

In Spain the bota survives, a small leather wineskin from which wine is drunk in a thin stream into the mouth. It is used at festivals and bullfights. Steppe peoples kept kumis in leather bags.

The wineskin is linked to wine as an ancient way of storing it, later replaced by barrels, amphorae and glass. Goat and sheep skin are classic materials. Today wineskins can be seen in museums and at folk festivals. Alcohol is for adults.