July 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.

• Giovanni della Casa, a Florentine poet and writer on etiquette was born in 1503.  His book, Galateo, includes the advice to Never should one sniff someone else’s wine, for instance, as something might fall out of one’s nose; even though this is unlikely, Della Casa notes, one should not take such risks.
• The Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser of Hobart Town in 1826 W.A. Bethune lists for sales, English soap, French sugar, Tenerife wine in pipes and hogsheads, Liverpool salt and Blue Claith Brandy, Gin and Bronte Madeira.
• Devo member, Jerry Casale was born in 1948.  He has taught wine tasting and is currently owner of The 50 by 50 winery in Napa, California.
• The oldest bottle of Veuve Cliquot was found at Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull. The bottle was from 1893 and was locked in a sideboard for 150 years.
• The French have a saying. « Si le jour de Saint-Samson, le pinson boit au buisson, tu peux, bon vigneron, défoncer ton poinçon (ou l’amour peut chanter sa chanson, le vin sera bon). » or, “If on the day of St. Samson, a finch drinks in the bush, you can, good winemaker, smash you punch (if the love can sing his song, the wine will be good)”.

July 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.

• Frances Stewart Howard, Duchess of Richmond was born in 1578.  After being orphaned at 14, she was married off to the son of a rich wine merchant, alderman and patron of the the Virginia Company.  
• The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal in 1842 had an article the treatment for insanity including medicines made with warm water, wine and molasses.
• In a letter dated July 27, 1888, J.W. Hyde of Grace Church, Waterville, NY, took the opinion that if the Lord chose wine as one of the symbols of the Eucharist, that it is not the job of men to question his wisdom.
• In a 1901 report from Ambassador Thornwall Haynes indicates that Portuguese wine producers requested permission to distill some of the 132,000,000 gallons of surplus wine to ease the storage crisis.
• Olympian Peggy Fleming was born in 1948. She was owner of Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery with her husband.  The winery closed in 2012.

July 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.

• Nikephoros I of the Byzantine Empire was killed in 811 at the battle of Pliska.  His skull was turned into a wine cup for his vanquisher. 
• Mary Frith, also known as Moll Cutpurse died in 1659.  She was once required to do penance for her “evil living” at St. Paul’s Cross and she was observed as being very penitent weeping bitterly.  However, it was also reported that she ‘maudlin drunk’ having drunk  most of a bottle of sack (sherry).
• The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal dated 1831 follows the case of a gentleman with smallpox.  He was treated with calamine, bark, wine, brandy, potash, senna and rhubarb.  The patient survived.
• Spain's Navarra DO was created in 1975.

July 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.

• Eleanor of Aquitaine married Prince Louis who would later be crown Louis VII of France at the Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux i.n 1137 Bordeaux and all its wines were hers.
• Listed among the expenses for Princess Mary in 1540 was "Itm to the gentylmen of the king's chapell for to drinkt w a bucke 40s”
• New York ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788.  It is home to the Cayuga Lake, Champlain Valley of New York, Finger Lakes, Hudson River Region, Long Island, Niagara Escarpment, North Fork of Long Island, Seneca Lake, The Hamptons, Long Island and Lake Erie viticultural areas.  
• It is the feast day of St. Cucuphas.  He was martyred by the Romans who tried to kill him by roasting him with vinegar and pepper.  Eventually, they cut his throat.  
• Happy National Wine and Cheese Day!

July 24th - 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.

• Samuel Pepys met and went out with the children Vice Admiral Sir George Carteret and were out so late they were unable to get a ferry boat back to the house, so they slept in a coach on the Isle of Dogs until one was available,  feasted on wine and snacks then headed home.
• The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction in 1824 reported on the Palace of the King of the Sandwich Islands, quoting Goldsmith in his Traveller 

“But where to find that happiest spot below, 
who can direct, when all pretend to know? 
The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone 
Boldly proclaims that happiest spot his own:  
Extols the treasures of his stormy seas, 
And his long nights of revelry and ease.  
The naked negro, panting at the line, 
Boasts of his golden sands and palmy wine, - 
Basks in the glare, or stems the tepid wave, 
And thanks his gods for all the good they gave.”

— Oliver Goldsmith

• Alphonse Mucha, a Czech painter of the Art Nouveau period was born in  1860. He is known for advertising illustrations for many products including Moet & Chandon, Vins des Incas, F. Champenois, Benedictine, Ruinart, Heidsieck, 
• President McKinley entered into a treaty with the King of Portugal to reduce tariffs on wine in 1897.

July 23rd - 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 Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I invaded the Bulgarian capital of Pliska and steals the treasury of Khan Krum.  Eventually, Krum will have his revenge and Nikephoros skull will end up a wine cup for the Khan.
• Peder Severin Kroyer, a Danish painter, who created a painting called “Hip, Hip Hurrah!” showing a toast at a family picnic was born in 1851.
• Robert Parker born in 1947.
• Pennsylvania and Maryland's Cumberland Valley AVA was designated in 1985.
• It is the feast day of St. Phocas who is a patron saint of gardeners,agricultural workers, farm worker and others.  Remember.  No Farmers?  No wine. 

July 22nd - 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 History of Lloyd’s of London for 1710 shows that wines from the ship, Francis were advertised in the Tatler and were “To be sold by Tho. Tonkin broker, in Seething Lane between Tower-street and Crutched-Fryars.”
• French forces held Fort Carillion burned down upper and lower town before the British could take control of them.  The fort included an upper and lower town that contained hospitals, wine cellars, ovens and bakeries.
• The Duke of Wellington defeated the French at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812 during the Peninsular Wars. After the defeat Wellington’s men acquired King Joseph-Napoleon Bonaparte’s entire supply of brandy, claret, champagne and burgundy. 
• The Lambrusco Reggiano DOC was created in 1971. The wine comes from the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna.
• The French have a saying, « Sainte-Madeleine fait la noisette pleine le blé épié et le raisin coloré. » or “St. Madeleine is full of nuts, spiked wheat and colored grapes.”

July 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.

• Melchor de Concha y Toro, businessman, lawyer, Chilean politician and Marquis of Casa Concha by the Spanish Crown planted vines in the valley of the Maipo River thus creating the Concha y Toro winery died in 1892. 
• Hungarian sparkling winemaker, József Törley died in 1907.
• The Verdicchio di Matelica DOC was created in 1967 .  These wines are made of the Verdicchio grape near the Italian commune of Matelica in Marche.
• The Alcamo DOC was established in 1972.  The region is located around the Italian commune of Alcamo on Sicily.

July 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.

• Samuel Pepys reports in his diary that in 1663 he met with Captain George Cocke at his home and drank some of the Malago Sack (Malaga Sherry) which was purchased for his wife Anna Marie Cocke to improve her health, “who is, he fears, a little consumptive, and her beauty begins to want its colour”.
• The HMS Pearl under the command of Captain Ballard took the Spanish xebecs Santa Christo, Veloce Commo Penser and an additional 6 Spanish settees which were laden with wine, oil, rice and barilla in 1800.
• Pope Leo XIII, a proponent of Vin Mariani, a wine made with coca leaves, died in 1903.
• The Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato DOC was created in 1979. The wine is made from Cortese grapes in the Piedmont region of Italy.

July 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.

• Francis Drake and Howard of Effingham distributed wine and cake when they learned of the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English in1588.
• In a sermon, A Serious Admonition to All Despisers of the Clergy: In a Sermon Preach’d before William, Lord Bishop of Chester, dated 1712, Henry Newcome offers the metaphor that the clergy could be seen “like the best Wine, at once both sharp and sweet”.
• In a letter dated 1887 by Forquet de Dorne to Bonfort’s Wine and Spirits Circular, M. Forquet describes the proceedings of the Champagne Syndicate v. Lécluze.  M. Lécluze was trying to market his Saumur (Loire) wines as Champagne.  M. Lécluze was forbidden to use the words, “Champagne wines” or “Champagne” on any wine not made in the Champagne district.
• The ship, Columbia departed Palermo bound for NYC with wine.

July 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.

• In a wildly rambling sentence written in 1665, Samuel Pepys discusses his day and how he bought a pint of wine for Ann and Miles Mitchell who were leaving London to escape the plague.
• English golfer, Nick Faldo was born in 1957.  He is a partner with Katnook Estate in Nick Faldo Wines in Coonawarra, Australia or at least was at one point…..
• The Sizzano and Boca DOCs were created in 1969. These regions are located in Italy’s Piedmont.
• The San Colombano al Lambro and the Colli Piacentini DOCs were created in 1984. San Colombian is near Milan and the Colli Piacentini are in Emilia-Romagna.
• The Fiano di Avellino and the Greco di Tufo DOCGs were established in 2003.  Avellino and Tufo are communes in the province of Avelino.
• French oenologist, Émile Peynaud died in 2004.

July 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.

• Phylloxera was discovered for the first time in Meursault in 1878.
• The Carso DOC was created in 1985.
• "Wine in the Afternoon" a song written by Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand was released in 2006.
• California's Lodi sub-appellations of Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River and Sloughhouse were designated in 2006.
• California's Saddle Rock-Malibu AVA was designated in 2006.
• Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills AVA was designated in 2006.

July 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 London Review in 1864 had an ad from James L. Denman who was offering wines of Greece and Hungary.
• The Mission of San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra.  The Mission included 55,000 acres, and provided corn, wheat, barley, kidney beans, chick peas and other vegetables and vineyards to provide grapes for wine. 
• The Dolcetto d'Alba DOC was created in 1974.  Alba is a city located in the Piedmont of Italy.

July 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 died in 1542. 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.
• James Busby, father of Australian wine industry died in 1871.  He brought the first grape root stock to Australia from France and Spain.
• The Gabiano DOC was created in 1983.  These wines are made primarily (90-95%) of Barbera.
• American wine critic, Jon Broneer died in 2006.

July 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.

• Philip II, or Philip Augustus of France died in 1223.  He was known for the construction of Les Halles, the central market of Paris, Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre and the Sorbonne.  He was also known for commissioning a great wine tasting competition that was known as the Battle of the Wines.
• Visitador General José de Gálvez sent the expedition of Junípero Serra and Gaspar de Portolà to found a mission at San Diego and presidio at Monterey in 1769. Fra. Serra planted to first vitis vinifera in Northern California as a result.
• The Fête de la Fédération was a celebration of the unity of France after the revolution was occurred in 1790.  The day began with a mass and ended with a feast, fireworks, wine and running nude through the streets to show their freedom.
• The Priestley Riots began in 1791 after a banquet to celebrate the French Revolution ran amuck.  Rioters fueled with wine from the banquet and liquor looted from destroyed buildings made their way to the house and church of Joseph Priestley who was driven from the city of Birmingham.
• Happy Bastille Day!  Enjoy some French wine!

July 13th - 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.

• Thomas Rowlandson, British artist known for his caricature and satire was born in 1756.  Many of his works involved the street life of his fellow countrymen including, “With Women and Wine I Defy Every Care,” and a Bacchanalian.
• The Wine License Office, of Lincoln’s Inn in 1761 issued multiple notices requesting that people who had retail wine licenses that expired midsummer to renew those licenses.
• Bulgaria was divided in five wine producing regions in 1960 (Danube River Plains, Black Sea Coastal, Valley of the Roses, Thracian Valley, Struma River Valley).
• The AOC Côtes du Rhone Villages was named in 1951.

July 12th - 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.

• Erasmus died in 1536.  He was known to suffer from gallstones and complained that Queens’ College, Cambridge could not supply him with enough decent wine which was used to treat the illness.
• Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk was born in 1628.  His second wife was Jane Bickerton, daughter of Robert Bickerton, Gentleman of the Wine Cellar for Charles II.
• Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817. He once wrote, "I would fain keep sober always.... I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man; wine is not so noble a liquor.... Of all ebriosity, who does not prefer to be intoxicated by the air he breathes?” (crazy talk!)
• The City of Montreal left the Port of Liverpool bound for NYC loaded with wine. It was the ship’s last successful trip to NY.
• California's Red Hills Lake County AVA was designated in 2004.

July 11th - 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.

• Eugénie de Montijo died in 1920.  She was married to Napoleon III who was both President and Emperor of France (sadly, in that order) and was the last empress of France.  She was the grand-daughter of a Scottish wine merchant.
• Hans Irvine, Australian politician and vigneron who recommended using American rootstock to combat Phylloxera in Australia died in 1922.
• It is the feast day of St. Savin of Vienne.  There is a French saying, “Rosée du jour de Saint-Savin, est, dit-on, rosée de vin” which translates (roughly) to “Dew on Saint Savin’s day is said to be the dew of wine”.
• It is also the feast day of St. Benoît of Nursia, he is the patron of Europe, monks, scouts, architects, equestrians, machine operators, refugees and spelunkers.  Oh, and farmers.  And as we know.. No farmers?  No wine.  At one point in his life, the monks under his charge tried to poison his wine.  When the saint made the sign of the cross over his cup, the cup broke.

July 10th - 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.

• Camille Pissarro was born in 1830.  He was a Danish-French painter who is known for still life paintings such as Still Life with Apples and Pitcher.
• The Chemical News of 1874 has a report from the Committee on Adulteration who reports that “The man who sells us a blanket got up with a deliquescent salt, like chloride of magnesiums, imperils our health just as decidedly as if he had put  amylic or petroleum products in our wine, or red lead in our chocolate.”
• The Black Hawk left Bremen in 1887 bound for NYC loaded with wine.
• Madiran and Pacherenc of Vic-Bilh are awarded AOC status in 1948.  Both AOCs are for wines produced in the  town of Madiran in Gascony, France. The Madiran wines are made of Tannat and the Pacherenc of Vic-Bilh of Petit Manseng and Corbu.

July 9th - 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.

• Stephen Báncsa, a Hungarian cardinal died in 1270.  As Archbishop of Esztergom, he donated a tithe of wine to the canons of St. Adelbert Cathedral.
• The SS Gellert left Le Havre in 1887 bound for NYC with a shipment of wine.
• The Carema and Sangiovese di Romagna DOC were created in 1967.
• The Austrian government issued a health warning regarding diethylene glycol contaminated wines in 1985.
• The Belgian AOC Hagelandse wijn was designated in 1997.