Essia System is home to vast jungles and deserts with a wide variety of native plants that are suitable for fermentation into wines.
The origins of wines on Essia is lost to the distant past. The wide variety of traditions suggests that winemaking emerged independently many different times in the past. It is something they are proud of and are exhibited at cultural expos.
Separa'Shan are able to directly sense temperature. This is helpful due to them being Ectothermic; having to use their environment to maintain their temperature. This means that the temperature that the wine is served has an important role in its perception. Due to the ambient temperature in most Yamataian locations being on the cool side of comfortable, most Separa'Shan prefer warm wines to cool ones when abroad. However, wines of all temperatures are served on Essia. Warm wine tends to be preferred in the winter and later at night or in the early morning. Cooler wines are served for lunch and dinner to help cool off from the heat of the day.
There are as many varieties of wine as there are fruits on Essia. While grape-based wines are popular, they are not the dominant type. Essian wine is typically made from fruits other than Grapes.
Aphefy is the most popular as the Melon it comes from grows widely on Essia. It has a red rind with red meat and black seeds. It is typically an opaque dark-pink to dark-red color.
Honis is one of the most popular outside of Essia due to it being marketed as a mead off of Essia, something that annoys many Separa'Shan connoisseurs as on Essia, they are considered to be wine. The small insects that make them are important pollinators. It's color is clear pale green to dark green.
Rhists is the rarest and most valuable, it is made with nectar from a flower that can only grow under exacting conditions. As a result, it is the most expensive due to the low supply every year. It is also the longest-lasting, with a stable taste profile for many years. Some vintages are thought to be better than others. It is clear with a light blue tinge to it.
Jinos is made from hot peppers, which produce a burning sensation in the mouth due to their capsaicin content. It is usually a fiery orange color.
Spiced wines are made by steeping spices in wine for a day or so before being strained out. This enhances their flavor profile.
Spiked Wines are unique to Separa'Shan as Venis inject their venom into spiked wines. The most popular spiked wines just make it easier for the body to accept the alcohol or help elevate mood. However, there are hallucinogenic and other psychoactive wines. Some varieties are potentially lethal to people not already immune to the venom. Dangerous Spiked wines have seen use by gangs as an initiation ritual.
It's wine, so anywhere that wine might be used. There are many price segments, ranging from extreme value at around 5 KS per bottle to super luxury boutiques which can fetch over a thousand KS.