Honey Wine
Known to the ancient Greeks as ambrosia, mead—or honey wine—was thought to be the chosen drink of the gods, and the fermentation process necessary to the creation of this sweet drink was surrounded by an aura of mysticism. Because bees were viewed as messengers sent directly from the deities, mead was also an important component of many religious rituals.
Honey, the main ingredient in mead, is recognized for its powerful antiseptic and moisturizing properties, is an excellent choice for relieving sore throats, and is being studied for its use in the treatment of hay fever. Preliminary scientific studies support this claim, suggesting that hay fever sufferers who eat locally produced honey may substantially relive their symptoms. While there’s no evidence to support the role of mead as hay fever relief, sipping the sweet honey wine may at least make you feel less miserable. Available in as many flavors as there are varieties of honey, meads are influenced by the nuances of terrain and climate where they were produced. Categorized as dry, medium, and sweet, they’re available as both still and sparkling beverages, and in a host of styles.
In Canada, noteworthy mead makers include Intermiel, Inc. (intermiel.com), Miel Nature, Inc. (mielnature.com), and Munro Honey & Meadery (munrohoney.com). Many meads can also be gently heated for a warm winter treat. For more information visit gotmead.com.
