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Document Details : Title: Winemaking Scenes on Attic Red-Figured Cups Subtitle: Not Crushing but Pigeage, Punching Down the Cap Author(s): LYNCH, Kathleen M. Journal: BABESCH Volume: 87 Date: 2012 Pages: 151-157 DOI: 10.2143/BAB.87.0.2160695 Abstract : In Brian Sparkes’ 1976 BABesch article, ‘Treading the Grapes,’ he traced the chronological development of vintage scenes in black and red figured vase painting. He noted the appearance in the late 6th century BC of a new type of Attic red-figured image with a man treading grapes inside a large vat. In this brief note I suggest that the figure may be performing the pigeage, or punching down of the cap, a stage in the fermentation process of red wine after the initial crushing of the grapes. The pigeage process releases a substantial amount of carbon dioxide requiring treaders to hold onto a sturdy support lest they become faint. Not only do these scenes enhance our knowledge of Greek vinicultural processes, but by alluding to the lightheaded state of the treader, they also provide a metaphoric image for the effects of alcohol on the drinker viewing the image. |
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