Meet the Middle Ages
BackGöblo the Wine-merchant (Vintner)
Göblo lived in Kalmar Town from 1400 to 1433? His home was at Hamngatan near the large town gate ("Stadsbroporten") by the harbour. Göblo was an esteemed and respected citizen of Kalmar. For some years, he was a member of the Town Council.
Göblo was employed by the council to taste, control and evaluate all wine which was brought into Kalmar. The precious barrels of wine coming from France and Germany were rolled off the ships and into town by "Stadsbroporten", one of the town ´s gates. It was important that the wine was not too old. If it was , and if it had a nasty taste, Göblo added spices to give it a pleasant flavour. When he had tasted and classified all wine, it would be taken to the town ´s wine-cellars at the town hall. There it was laid down to be sold later.
Wine was extremely costly. Only the very rich could afford to buy wine for their banquets.
Originally, Göblo probably came from Köningshausen in south Germany.