After the complete collapse of the Roman Empire around 450AD, Europe was thrown into what we now refer to as the Dark Ages. These times had the potential to force wine into oblivion for centuries. Fortunately for wine drinkers, this was not to be the case.

The Christian monasteries are credited for the preservation of wine-making skills after the fall of Rome. The most detailed accounts of this process comes from monasteries in Germany, France and parts of Northern Italy. Many of these monasteries are directly related to the development of some of the most popular wine regions in today's Europe, including Burgundy. The region of Bordeaux, however, is an exception to this and sprung up on its own as a commercial centre and producer of wine.

The Church first came to be associated with the production of wine through its use of wine in the Christian Eucharist. Eventually the production of wine was viewed as a luxury and comfort. With the spread of cathedrals and the Church's wealth, everyday citizens began to look at wine as a sign of opulence that they lacked in their lives. Wine was still a daily drink in Europe, but the production of fine wines was controlled by a select few.

Perhaps the most famous monks connected to wine are the Benedictines. These monks cultivated some of the finest vineyards in Europe. The Benedictines also earned a reputation for enjoying their agricultural endeavours slightly too much. It was not uncommon for people to think of the Benedictines as corpulent monks who passed their days in drunken stupor. Their way of life soon became notorious throughout Europe.

Eventually a monk by the name of St. Bernard split from the Benedictines and founded the order of the Cistercians. This order was immediately successful and it soon founded vineyards in Burgundy and Rheingau. Unfortunately, they became as noted for their gluttony as the Benedictines before them.