Wines and religion have had an interesting, intertwined relationship for centuries. Many churches and monasteries during the Middle Ages – and often earlier – derived much of their income through the creation of wine. Two of the most prolific winemakers were the Cistercians and Benedictines. It is said that members from these two orders actually tasted the soil to find out how it differed from location to location.
Orthodox Jews can drink wine as well, but it must be kosher in order for them to do so. This means that the wine cannot be touched at any time by someone who is a non-observant Jew or a “Gentile.” This means from the grapevine to the bottle, wine can only be handled by certain members of the religion, and it must also contain only kosher ingredients.
The prophet Mohammed affected the way wine was handled in the Arabian areas; after his death, wine was banned from the majority of countries that listened to him.