Iranians brave floggings and even execution to enjoy banned wine

Laws banning alcoholic beverages in Iran have forced many Iranians to acquire the skill of perfecting homemade wine just to enjoy in secret the pleasure of the drink even though they face flogging and even execution.

Iran, once famous for its darkskinned Shiraz grapes and paens to wine (or sharab in the Persian language) by its most renowned poets of centuries ago, has banned consumption of alcoholic drinks since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, even though the authorities frequently turn a blind eye to what goes on behind closed doors.

Jahad market, in southern Iran, is filled every year in October with customers, especially young men, who purchase large amounts of grapes, while tanks and other instruments necessary for professional winemaking can easily be acquired.

Aron, 38, a Muslim living in northern Iran, told Efe proudly that he and members of his group purchased 750 kilograms (1,654 pounds) of grapes, patiently removed stems, seeds and impurities, and then filled eight barrels with wine.

He added that regrettably there are no oak barrels in the Iranian market, only plastic, while also noting the difficulty of fermenting the wine at a stable temperature, causing it to sometimes turn to vinegar.

Aron, who appears to have turned into an expert winemaker, explained that shani or shahani are the best kinds of grapes, grown in the Kurdistan region, around the Caspian Sea and in the south of the country around the city of Shiraz.

Ali, 32, another home vintner, said that he has been making wine for eight years for his own consumption because he could only purchase small amounts of very bad quality.

Ali purchases 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of grapes every year, of which he produces 80 liters (21 gallons) of wine for personal and family use, stressing that anyone can make good wine if they manage to buy the best grapes.

Islamic laws imposed in Iran do not allow purchasing wine, and the little there is very hard to get except through the black market or at high prices, Ali added.

A bottle of smuggled foreign wine in Iran costs about one million Iranian Riyals (around $30), while one liter of homemade wine only costs $3.

Like many Iranians, Ali and Aron do not care about the consequences of their actions as they know well that what happens in Iran inside the home, stays in the home, while they also know that many others tolerate harmless violations regarding Islamic moral rules which are strictly enforced by the authorities.

Aron, with a smile on his face, pointed out that some of his neighbors complained about the amounts of grapes that he brings home, but he believes that they will not gripe when he offers them a case of wine.

He also explained that transporting grapes is not usually dangerous in Iran, because the fruit itself is not banned. Although problems can occur.

Last year, police stopped a shipment of grapes purchased by a friend and poured salt water on it, making it unsuitable for wine, he recalled.

Wine making takes from 30 to 40 days, during which grape juice is stirred and filtered every day by using a stick to prevent it from turning into vinegar.

Home winemakers struggle throughout the year to acquire glass bottles with corks, but often have to resort to using Coca Cola bottles or other glass containers which can have a negative effect on the wine’s taste.

If a winemaker is caught, their personal and professional lives can be destroyed, Aron warned.

Iranian law punishes those charged with drinking wine at least two times with 80 lashes, while after the third time, the miscreant could face capital punishment.

Confessing to have drunk wine is enough to receive the punishment, or the testimony of “two righteous” eyewitnesses will also suffice.

Purchasing or selling wine is punished by a prison sentence of between six months and two years, along with 74 lashes.

Aron said that it is enough for a police officer to detect the smell of wine on a suspect to give him 80 lashes.

“And if they discovered the amount that I have (around 100 liters, or 26 gallons) they will confiscate it, confiscate my house and my bank accounts,” he said. “They will take everything.”

When the authorities arrive at one’s home where wine is being made, Aron said the only recourse is to jump out a window and run because there is no hiding the smell of fermenting grapes, nor the huge barrels containing the illicit elixir.

However, Ali said there are many Iranians who are not afraid of a flogging because it is the same punishment for many things in his country, like not wearing a proper head cover for women and eating during the day in the month of Ramadan.

Aron added that Iranians really enjoy winemaking, do it with friends to have a celebratory drink of something they have made with their own hands, although they wish they were free to buy a bottle and have a tipple like in other countries.