Ancient Greece: Selling wine

In Athens, wine was bought mainly from wine sellers for immediate consumption: after the purchaser had sampled the wine, the required amount was ladled or siphoned from the amphora into a jug or small amphora which the purchaser usually provided: wealthier customers, however, and those holding parties, will have bought an amphora at a time. Evidence on price is scanty, but for imported wine of good quality, such as Chian or Mendean, in Athens in the 4th century bc a chous of about 3.25 l cost between a quarter of a drachma and 2 drachmas (a drachma being a day’s wage for a craftsman). Of course, these were luxury wines, with prices to match: one Athenian, urged to improve his morals by the Areopagus, the Council of Elders, cited drinking Chian, along with keeping a mistress, as evidence of a life of blameless hedonism appropriate to a gentleman. See also merchants, ancient history.