Water is a powerful force in our world, and its importance to wine goes far beyond nourishing vines. The Loire River, for example, moderates temperatures along its course, making viticulture possible in a region that would otherwise be too cold. Down the coast, the Gironde Estuary has been Bordeaux’s gateway to Europe’s markets and capitals for centuries, while to the east, the mighty Rhône River has served as a major trade route since Roman times. From its source in the Swiss Alps, it flows over five hundred miles before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea, where, from their home on its eastern shores, the Phoenicians disseminated their knowledge of viticulture and winemaking throughout the Mediterranean basin more than three thousand years ago. Here’s to the Phoenicians, the Bordelais, the Rhône, and the Loire—take a moment to savor their role in filling your cup. The wine in it is about 85% water, after all.