Nemea was a religious sanctuary in the northern Peloponnese of Greece where pan-Hellenic athletic games were held every two years from 573 BC until 271 BC.
The mythical origin of the Games is sometimes ascribed to Hercules who, after his first labour in which he had to kill the Nemean lion, established athletic games in honour of his father Zeus. Athletes and competitions were supervised by specially trained ‘Hellanodikai’ who acted as both referees and as judges dressed in black. Athletes competed naked and victors were awarded a crown of wild celery.
Nemea is simultaneously Greece’s most important red-wine PDO appellation. The mountains and valleys surrounding the small village of Nemea have been producing wine for centuries, dating back to at least the 5th Century BC, mostly from the native Agiorgitiko grape. A wide range of styles are made from this red grape variety, from rich, age-worthy dry wines to lighter, sweeter examples.
Source: Ancient History Encyclopedia
