Bacchus or Dionysus
Could this be the most important god in Maribor?
It is hard to spot it if you are just passing by. But in the corner of Grajski square is a little statue of what might be the most important god in Maribor. Meet Bachus, god of wine.
How important is he?
Just enough to replace the statue of Mary, the Mother of God, which adorned the corner niche before it was stolen. Not only in Maribor, Bacchus is important worldwide but here you might learn most about him. Sit down at one of nearby bars and order a špricer (schprizer). Be careful to not order 2 before you finish reading this article.
Bacchus as sort of grape
God of wine deserves his own grape, doesn't he? The Bacchus is a white wine grape that was created by viticulturalist Peter Morio in 1933. He crossed a Silvaner x Riesling with Müller-Thurgau. Bacchus received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation in 1972.
Bacchus wines can have powerful flavours and character, which have even been described as "exuberant", but only if it is allowed to ripen fully.
Bacchus can reach high must weights, and has no high requirement for sites it can be planted. It can therefore be used where e.g. Riesling does not ripen reliably. It ripens early, about the same time as Müller-Thurgau, and has a similar high productivity as that variety.
Temple of Bacchus
Just to make sure you realize his importance, be aware that Bacchus has his own temple in Baalbek, Leabanon. Traditionally it was referred to by Neoclassical visitors as the "Temple of the Sun". Obviously sun is very important to wine so we can understand the relationship. :) It is considered one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world. It is larger than the Parthenon in Greece, though much less famous.
Bacchus as comics book hero
Wine is important and funny. Wine god is funny enough to build a comics book character upon him. Bacchus first appeared as a character in Deadface (March 1987)1, a Harrier Comics title which lasted eight issues. In issue five Campbell spun the character out of that book and into his own comic, the eponymous Bacchus. The character of Bacchus was nominated for the Squiddy Award for Favorite Character in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
Bacchus in a song
Type O Negative was a gothic metal band from Brooklyn, New York City. Their lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four". Never really a worldwide famous band, but they created a song titled In praise of Bacchus in the album October Rust. If you feel like listening to some heavy metal... well, you can: http://youtu.be/Nx2dwVbVRlc
Bacchus as energy drink?
Heretic news for wine lovers and Mariborian's. Bacchus-F is a non-carbonated South Korean energy drink, first launched in 1963. It has been called Bacchus-D since a change in formula in the 1990s, before which it was known as Bacchus-F. No Mariborian will ever drink that. Neither should you. Order another špricer instead. :)
Bacchus or Dionysus
After a few špricers it is a good time to start a discussion if this god should be called Bacchus or Dionysus? :)
Could this be the most important god in Maribor?
It is hard to spot it if you are just passing by. But in the corner of Grajski square is a little statue of what might be the most important god in Maribor. Meet Bachus, god of wine.
How important is he?
Just enough to replace the statue of Mary, the Mother of God, which adorned the corner niche before it was stolen. Not only in Maribor, Bacchus is important worldwide but here you might learn most about him. Sit down at one of nearby bars and order a špricer (schprizer). Be careful to not order 2 before you finish reading this article.
Bacchus as sort of grape
God of wine deserves his own grape, doesn't he? The Bacchus is a white wine grape that was created by viticulturalist Peter Morio in 1933. He crossed a Silvaner x Riesling with Müller-Thurgau. Bacchus received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation in 1972.
Bacchus wines can have powerful flavours and character, which have even been described as "exuberant", but only if it is allowed to ripen fully.
Bacchus can reach high must weights, and has no high requirement for sites it can be planted. It can therefore be used where e.g. Riesling does not ripen reliably. It ripens early, about the same time as Müller-Thurgau, and has a similar high productivity as that variety.
Temple of Bacchus
Just to make sure you realize his importance, be aware that Bacchus has his own temple in Baalbek, Leabanon. Traditionally it was referred to by Neoclassical visitors as the "Temple of the Sun". Obviously sun is very important to wine so we can understand the relationship. :) It is considered one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world. It is larger than the Parthenon in Greece, though much less famous.
Bacchus as comics book hero
Wine is important and funny. Wine god is funny enough to build a comics book character upon him. Bacchus first appeared as a character in Deadface (March 1987)1, a Harrier Comics title which lasted eight issues. In issue five Campbell spun the character out of that book and into his own comic, the eponymous Bacchus. The character of Bacchus was nominated for the Squiddy Award for Favorite Character in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
Bacchus in a song
Type O Negative was a gothic metal band from Brooklyn, New York City. Their lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four". Never really a worldwide famous band, but they created a song titled In praise of Bacchus in the album October Rust. If you feel like listening to some heavy metal... well, you can: http://youtu.be/Nx2dwVbVRlc
Bacchus as energy drink?
Heretic news for wine lovers and Mariborian's. Bacchus-F is a non-carbonated South Korean energy drink, first launched in 1963. It has been called Bacchus-D since a change in formula in the 1990s, before which it was known as Bacchus-F. No Mariborian will ever drink that. Neither should you. Order another špricer instead. :)
Bacchus or Dionysus
After a few špricers it is a good time to start a discussion if this god should be called Bacchus or Dionysus? :)
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bacchus, god, wine, maribor, statue