July 6th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• In 1714, Rev. Jonathan Swift received a letter from John Barber who arranged for Lord Bolingbroke to send Swift 2 cases of French red wine and a single case of strong Aaziana white wine.
• Agoston Haraszthy, the "Father of California Viticulture" and founder of Buena Vista Vineyards died in 1869.
• The Langhe Dolcetto Monregalesi DOC was created in 1974.
• The Matera DOC was created in 2006.
• It is the feast day of Saint Goar of Aquitaine.  He is the patron saint of innkeepers, potters and vine growers.

July 5th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• In 1709, the Earl of Seafield submitted the concerns of wine merchants to the Lord High Treasurer about the amount of Spanish wine flooding the British Market.
• Sylvester Graham was born in 1794.  An itinerant preacher, he believed in vegetarianism and temperance to cure cholera when the accepted belief was eating plenty of meat, few veggies and drinking port.   He also believed that who grain crackers (Graham crackers) would prevent ‘self-pollution (masturbation).
• The Everyday Book of 1838 relays a story about Swan-hopping in the City (London) where a group of gentlemen were scammed out of the cost of lunch for a group of ladies (and their servants) during an expedition up river to watch the ceremony to mark the swans of London.  The gentlemen in question found that they had been left with bill by the ladies who claimed that “their husbands” would cover the costs  of their dinner, dessert, wine,tea etc.  7£ 10 shilling.  By the way, London swans are still marked in London and are considered to be owned by the Queen, the dyers guild and the vintners guild.
• French eonologist, Alfred de Vergnette de Lamotte was born in 1806. He is best know for his work on wine preservation.
• The Australian Geographical Indication "Wrattonbully" was registered in 2005.

July 4th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• In 1660, Samuel Pepys met with Mr. Butler and William Bowyer at Westminster Hall and took them to the Sun Tavern where he gave them lobster and wine.
• Founding father's toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a glass (or more) or Madeira.
• Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father and wine lover died in 1826. John Adams did as well but he didn't supply the government with wine from his own collection.
• It is the feast day of Blessed Catherine Jarrige.  She helped priests escape the French Revolution providing vestments, wine and wafers for mass.  She also disguised a priest as a peasant and poured wine on him to make it look like he was drunk.  When encountering a soldier, she began to berate her “husband” the soldier said, “Citizen if I had a wife like that I’d drown her in the nearest river” to which the priest responded, “Citizen so would I!”
• Happy 4th of July from Qorkz!

July 3rd - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Louis XI was born in 1423. He negotiated the Treaty of Picquigny ending the Hundred Years’ War bragging that his father had driven the English out by force of arms while he had driven them out by force of pâté, venison and good French wine.
• Mr. Blakeman, a visiting preacher to Rotherham was paid a pint of Sack (sherry) in 1688.
• Werlé & Co. received a patent for their champagne in 1877.  The company was the successor of Veuve Clicquot.
• Idaho was admitted to the union in 1890.  It is home to the Eagle Foothills, Lewis-Clark Valley and Snake River Valley viticultural areas.
• MFK Fisher was born in 1908.  She was a pre-eminent food writer and also founder of the Napa Valley Wine Library.
• New York's Seneca Lake AVA was designated in 2003.

July 2nd - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Flemish painter, Theodoor Rombouts was born in 1637.  He created paintings such as Musical Company with Bacchus shown above.  Many of his paintings show card playing and drinking.
• Nathaniel de Rothschild, founder of the French wine-making branch of the Rothschild family was born in 1812. 
• The Chianti Classico DOCG designation was established in 1984.
• The Ozark Mountain AVA was designated in 1986. 
• California's Oakville AVA  and Rutherford AVA were designated in 1993.

July 1st - This Date in Wine History

Image courtesy of the Walter Clore Center

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Dr. Walter Clore, father of Washington State wines was born in 1911. 
• Dan Aykroyd was born in 1952.  As well as being a Ghostbuster he is also owner of Dan Ackroyd Wines.
• France’s Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC was created in 1998.
• Italy’s Lago di Corbara DOC was established in 1998.
• California's High Valley AVA, Minnesota’s Alexandria Lakes AVA,  Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVA and Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVA were designated in 2005.

June 30th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• John Gay, English poet and dramatist most known for The Beggar’s Opera was born in 1685.  He also wrote the poem, Wine as an homage.
• Philip J. K. James, founder of Snooth was born in 1978.
• Spain's Tierra de León DO was created in 2005.   Red wines are produced with Prieto Picudo and Mencía although Garnacha and Tempranillo are allowed as well.  White wines are produced with Albarin blanco, Godello although Malvasia and Palomino are allowed.
• Spain's Valles de Benavente DO was created in 2005.  Red wines are produced with Tempranillo, Prieto Picudo and Mencía although Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon are allowed as well.  White wines are produced with Verdejo and Malvasia.
• It is the feast day as Saint Theobald of Provins.  He is the patron saint of the town of Provins, Champagne, France, farmers, winegrowers, shoemakers, belt makers charcoal burners, single dudes, and invoked against feast, eye problems, dry cough, infertility and panic attacks.  Busy dude.

July 29th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Peter Agricola, a German humanist was born in 1525.  Despite wishing to become a clergy, he went on to have a secular career and went to the imperial court to advise Duke Henry XI who was the wine waiter of Ferdinand I.
• French oenologist, Émile Peynaud was born in 1912. 
• California's San Bernabe AVA was designated in 2004.
• The Lavaux, Switzerland Vineyard Terraces was named a United Nations World Heritage Site in 2007. 
• The Batalla de vino takes place in Haro, Spain.  It is part of the festivities for Feast of San Pedro.

June 28th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Alboin, King of the Lombards was killed in 572.  His wife Rosamund aided the assassins when he made her drink wine from the cup made of her father, Cunimund’s skull. 
• King Edward IV of England was crowned in 1461.  He was captured by rebellious lords aided by his brother, George, Duke of Clarence.  For his part in the plot, Clarence was “drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine”.
• The Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC was created in 1972.
• The French have a saying, « S'il pleut la veille de la Saint-Pierre, la vigne est réduite au tiers. » or “If it rains the eve of St. Peter, the vines are are reduced to a third.

June 27th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Charles II of Navarre, known as Charles the Bad was crowned in 1350.  At the end of his life he was so decrepit that his doctor order him wrapped like a mummy in linen soaked in brandy (aqua vitae).  A maid dropped a candle and WHOOSH! This was seen as a sign of God’s justice.
• Maximilian, Prince of Dietrichstein was born in 1596.  In 1643 he placed 2,000 barrels of wine at Nikolsburg Castle.
• The American brig, Friendship  that was laden with wine and salt from Cadiz to Charlestown was taken by Captain Hope of the Kent in 1800.
• Diethylene glycol was discovered in a bottle of 1983 Rüster Auslese from a Stuttgart supermarket in 1985.
• Ycoden-Daute-Isora DO was created in 1994.

June 26th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Roman Emperor Julian was wounded in 363 during the Battle of Sammara.  He was treated by his physician who treated the wound with dark wine.  He died 3 days later.
• Louis Bignon, French chef and agriculturist and Legion of Honour recipient was born in 1816.  He was known for the high quality of wine in his restaurant as well as investing in research on the phylloxera.
• The Moscato di Siracusa DOC was created in 1973. 
• The Dolcetto di Dogliani DOC, the Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC and the Rosso di Cerignola DOC were established in 1974.
• The Tokay Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

June 25th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• A lawsuit was filed against New Haven's first publican, Henry Tomlinson in 1656 for charging more for strong water, wine and beer than was allowed and for keeping a disorderly house. He allowed young men and maids to attend his house, dance and play at shuffle board. (The horror!)
• Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788.  It is home to the Appalachian High Country, Middleburg Virginia, Monticello, North Fork of Roanoke, North Neck George Washington Birthplace, Rocky Knob, Shenandoah Valley and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
• Antoni Gaudí was born in 1852.  He was an architect known for the style known as Catalan Modernism.  He is famous for the Sagrada Familia and the Güell wine cellars.
• The Bonfires Wine and Spirit Circular for this date in 1887 contained an advertisement for Roederer Dry Champagne as a new product in the United States.
• Robert Lawrence Balzer, America's first serious wine journalist was born in 1912.

June 21st - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Leonhard Rauwolf was born in 1535.  He was a German physician, botanist and traveller known for his writings.  He describes his travels in Libya as “The town of Tripoli is pretty large, full of people, and of good account, because of the great deposition of merchandises that are brought thither daily both by sea and land. It is situated in a pleasant country, near the promontory of the high mountain Libanus, in a great plain toward the sea-shore, where you may see abundance of vineyards, and very fine gardens, enclosed with hedges for the most part…”
• John Smith, English soldier and author died in 1631.  He helped establish the English colony of Jamestown, Virginia.  In 1609, while the colonists were approaching starvation, he bought food and wine on credit to feed them.
• New Hampshire ratified the US Constitution in 1788.  It is home to over 50 wineries and cider houses.  (Aurore, Cayuga, Chancellor, Chardonnay, De Chaunac, Diamond, Frontenac, Leon Millot, Marechal Foch, Niagara, Noiret, Riesling, Seyval blanc, Vidal blanc, Vignoles).
• The Aleatico di Gradoli DOC was created in 1972.
• Charles Mara paid $24,000 for a case of 1979 Opus One Cabernet Sauvignon.  
• Happy Lambrusco Day!

June 20th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• West Virginia was admitted to the Union in 1863.  It is home to the Kanawha River Valley, Ohio River Valley and Shenandoah Valley.
• Spain's Pla de Bages DO was created in 1997.  The name of the region comes from the Roman town of Bacassis, though the monastery of Sant Benet de Bages claimed that the town was named for Bacchus.
• It is the feast day of Pope Saint Silverius.  The French have a saying, “Pluie d'orage à la Saint-Silvère, c'est beaucoup de vin dans le verre,” which means, “Rain storms on St. Silverius Day means plenty of of wine in the glass”.
• It is the Summer Solstice today.  Austria celebrates with fireworks and lit boats traveling down the Danube through the wine growing region.  There German’s celebrate with bonfire’s and drinking of wine and the Portuguese celebrate with a meal of Caldo verde, grilled sardines, bread and red wine.

June 19th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• The final report of the State of California for the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 Commission reported that California's wine display in the Horticulture Building was considered a special attraction to fair goers.
• Henri Enjalbert, French specialist in wine geology died in 1983.  He was known for writing the definitive book about wine geology.
• René Renou, president of the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine died in 2006.
• National Martini Day! Please use a prime vermouth (a fortified wine flavored with botanicals).

June 18th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• The Battle of Civitate took place in 1053.  A battle between the Normans and a Papal Coalition, the Pope Leo himself was taken prisoner.  He was treated as an honored (albeit a prisoner) and was continually provided bread, wine, protection and other necessities.
• Frederick I Barbarossa crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1155.  He died during the third Crusade and his soldiers tried to preserve his body in a cask of vinegar.  It didn’t work.
• The Ship La Bourgogne left Le Havre in 1887 with a shipment of wine bound for NYC.
• Robert Mondavi was born in 1913. 
• The Greco di Bianco DOC was created in 1980.

June 17th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• The London magazine: Or, Gentleman’s Monthly Intelligencer includes a review for a Ridotto Al Fresco at Spring Gardens, Vaux-hall which included a “rural Scene, sacred to the God of Wine,”
• In a letter dated 1740, Thomas Gray wrote his mother about his travels in Naples and the concerns of the people about the weather which was presumed to injure their corn, wine and oil.
• Gregory Blaxland, the first exporter of Australian wine was born in 1778.
• The British government passed a temporary regulation in 1793 about the distillation of spirits made in Scotland and shipped to England and those made in England and shipped to Scotland.  Wine measures become the standard unit.

June 16th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• The Roman Emperor Julian having brought his fleet of soldiers down the Tigris River to defeat the Persians burned his ships in 363.  This was a very bad idea. 10 days later he was speared in his abdomen which damaged his liver, peritoneum and intestines.  He was treated with stitches and the irrigation of the would with “dark wine” but he died.
• Ignatius Sancho, the first African man to vote in a British Parliamentary election or to be given an obituary in the British Press writes a thank you note to a friend, IS esq. thanking him for the gift of a fine bottle of wine in 1779. 
• John Snow, the father of modern epidemiology, anaesthesia and hygiene who proved that the cholera outbreak in London in 1854 was associated with one water pump died in 1858. During the 1830s he became a vegetarian and teetotaler until his health deteriorated and returned to meat and wine..
• The Australian Geographical Indication "Murray Darling" was registered in 1997.
• The French have a saying, « S’il pleut le jour de Saint-Cyr, le vin diminue jusqu’à la tire. » or, "If it rains the day of Saint-Cyr, the wine decreases. "

June 15th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Lisa del Giocondo was born in 1479. She was the daughter of a Chianti vineyard owner and later married Florentine silk merchant.  She was the model for Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting, The Mona Lisa.
• Arkansas was admitted to the union in 1836.  It is home to the Altus, Arkansas Mountain and Ozark Mountain viticultural areas.
• California's Mendocino AVA was designated in 1984.
• California's Monterey AVA was designated in 1984.
• It is the feast day of Saint Germaine of Pibrac (France).  She was known to sleep on a pallet vine cuttings from her infancy until the time she died at the age of 22.

June 14th - This Date in Wine History

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

• Bear Flag Revolt begins in 1846.  Anglo settlers in Sonoma, California, start a rebellion against Mexico and proclaim the California Republic.  The Anglos (mostly American) were prohibited from entering California without permission of the Mexican government and prohibited from renting or buying property.  
• Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular for 1887 reports that the ship, Trinacria left the port of Leghorn (Livornio) with a cargo of wine bound for NYC.
• The US Patent Office granted a patent for the Montebello & Co of Mareuil-sur-Ay, Marne, France for Champagne in 1910.
• California's Chalone AVA was designated in 1982.