What is Mead?

At Shackleton Estate, we hear this question a lot and thought it about time to address it.

Mead is wine made from honey rather than grapes, it’s the oldest fermented beverage known to man. It is traceable to at least 5,000 years dating back through antiquity to Nordic legends and non-mythological history.

During these times the bee was held in high regard as honey was considered ‘a giver of life’, courage, strength and wisdom. Mead has long been associated with revelry and romance, and was consumed on special occasions such as weddings and honeymoons.

Mead is made from honey and water via fermentation with yeast. It may be still, carbonated, or sparkling; it may be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Depending on local traditions and specific recipes, it may be brewed with spices, fruits, or grain mash. It may be produced by fermentation of honey with grain mash, mead may also be flavoured with hops to produce a bitter, Beer-like flavor.

The drinking of mead has been noted as the movement in history from nature to culture.