January 21st - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Pope Paschal II died in 1118.  During his reign he appointed a Bishop to oversee the territories of Greenland and Vinland (Newfoundland)
  • Jefferson Davis resigned from the United States Senate.  A step before becoming the President of the Confederacy.  He was a participant in the  West Point Eggnog riot.  He escaped punishment.
  • Thomas Munson, the American horticulturist who's work with grape rootstock led to phylloxera-resistant stocks died in 1913
  • It is the feast day of St. Agnes of Rome.  She is the patron saint of crops and gardeners as well as Girl Scouts.
  • Happy Babinden!  This Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian holiday celebrates midwifery and includes Young Mother’s Feast which includes grilled chicken and wine.

January 5th - This Date in Wine History

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Lake Wisconsin AVA by Gretchen Neuman for Qorkz

Lake Wisconsin AVA by Gretchen Neuman for Qorkz

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 French AOC Petit Chablis was established in 1944.
  • The Lake Wisconsin AVA was designated in 2004.
  • Remember to leave a glass of wine and some food out for the Christmas witch, La Befana.

January 1st - This Date in Happy New Year

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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 died in 1387.  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.
  • Pope Alexander VI, the former Roderic Borgia was born in 1431.  He was known for frequently poisoning the wine of rivals, using the Cup of Borgia, and then confiscated their wealth.
  • Henry, Duke of Cornwall was born in 1511.  He was the first living child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.  To celebrate guns were fired, bells were rung, fires lit and free wine was given to the public.  The baby did not survive.
  • Pieter Claesz, Dutch golden age painter died in 1660.  Wine was often featured in his still life paintings.
  • Gregory Blaxland, the first exporter of Australian wine died in 1853.

December 31st - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • 32,8551/2 gallons of Madeira winer were imported into Philadelphia from August 1, to December 31, 1790 according to the American Museum or Universal Magazine.
  • A banquet was held in 1853 where the attendees ate dinner in an iguanodon in the not yet complete Crystal Palace in London.  The menu included:  Soups: Mock Turtle, Julien, Hare, Fish: Cod and Oyster Sauce, Fillets of Whiting, Turbot à l’Hollandaise; Removes: Roast Turkey, Ham, Raised Pigeon Pie, Boiled Chicken and Celery Sauce; Entrées: Cotolettes de Moutonaux Tomates, Currie de Lapereaux au riz, Salmi de Perdrix, Mayonnaise de filets de Sole; Game: Pheasants, Woodcocks, Snipes; Sweets: Macedoine Jelly, Orange Jelly, Bavaroise, Charlotte Russe, French Pastry, Nougat à la Chantilly, Buisson de Meringue aux Confiture; Dessert: Grapes, Apples, Pears, Almonds and Raisins, French Plums, Pines, Filberts, Walnuts etc., etc.; Wines: Sherry, Madeira, Port, Moselle, Claret 
  • Chandon  et Co., of Epernay, France received it’s trademark in the United States in 1907.
  • Saumur AOC was created in 1957.
  • Happy national Champagne Day!
  • Happy New Year to Everyone!

December 26th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Lord George Gordon, head of the Protestant Association and the focal point of the Anti-Catholic Gordon Riots was born in 1751.  In 1787 he converted to Judaism while undergoing a trial for defaming Marie Antoinette. While imprisoned in Newgate prison, he was supplied with kosher meat and wine.
  • Days of Wine and Roses starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick was released in 1962.
  • It is the feast day of St. James the Just who was known for drinking no wine nor the eating of meat and wore only fine linen.
  • The French have a saying, « À la saint Étienne, pas de vent, pour le vin c'est excellent. » or "To St Stephen, no wind, for wine is excellent. “
  • « Dans la nuit qui amène saint Étienne, s'il fait du vent, le vin sera très abondant » or "In the night that brings St. Stephen, if it makes the wind, the wine will be very abundant “
  • Happy Boxing Day!

December 25th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Charlemagne was crowned as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III.  The Emperor celebrated mass where he presented the wine and his Empress the water for the Eucharist.
  • In 1213, King John of England ordered 3,000 capons, 1,000 salted eels, 400 hogs, 100 pounds of almonds and 24 casks of wine for his Christmas feast.
  • The Eggnog Riot ends at West Point in 1826.  Eggnog was often enriched with sherry, brandy, whiskey and rum at the time.
  • The Macau Wine Museum opens in 1995.
  • Merry Christmas!

December 24th - This Date in Wine History

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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 Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise fails in 1800.  This plot was designed to kill Napoleon with a wine cask filled with explosives.
  • The Touraine AOC was created in 1939. 
  • French oenologist, Michel Rolland was born in 1947.
  • The Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC was created in 1985.
  • The Egg Nog Riot begins at West Point in 1826.  Eggnog was often enriched with sherry, brandy, or whiskey and rum at the time.
  • If you celebrate Christmas, be sure to leave out treats for Santa Claus.  We suggest Syrah in lieu of milk.

December 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Jean François Champollion was born in 1790.  He was known for deciphering the Rosetta Stone.  It contains records from Ptolemy V including donations of wine to temples and vineyard harvests.
  • Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular reports that weather on this date in 1889 had been so bad that there were fewer customers to purchase brandy in Charentes.
  • California's Redwood Valley AVA was designated in 1996.
  • Happy Festivus.  Please watch your imbibing of spirits before the airing of grievances or feats of strength.

December 17th - This Date in Wine History

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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 first Saturnalia festival was celebrated in 497 BC.
  • Jamal ad-Din Rumi, Muslim poet, jurist, scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic died in 1273.  He wrote:

On the seeker’s path, wise men and fools are one.

In His love, brothers and strangers are one.

Go on! Drink the wine of the Beloved!

In that faith, Muslims and pagans are one.

       -Quatrain 305

  • Humphry Davy was born in 1778.  He was a chemist known for isolating potassium, calcium and strontium among others.  He is also known for experiments with nitrous oxide which he mixed with wine and tried as a hangover cure (his notes said it worked).
  • 50 Alsatian Grand Crus were established in 1992.
  • This day in 1794 would have been the 27th day of the month Frimaire under the French Revolutionary Calendar. The day of the month was represented by the Cork Oak Tree (Liège) and the month by Frost (Frimaire).

Happy Saturnalia!

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Saturnalia by Antoine Callet

Saturnalia by Antoine Callet

Io, Saturnalia!

Saturnalia is the Roman winter solstice festival that began in 427 BCE and continued... well, at least until 448 AD.  Many Christmas traditions are thought to have begun during Saturnalia festivities.  A celebration of the Roman god, Saturn, the festival began as a  three day event and was later expanded to a full week.  During this time gifts were given, special foods eaten, hijinks broke out and assorted merriment was enjoyed by slave and citizens alike.

But how was it celebrated?

Well, from Qorkz's extensive research (cough, cough) indicate the following:

  • The colors green and gold were favored. 
  • Celestial symbols were used inside houses as well as outside.
  • A special concoction called mulsum was drunk.  It was a mixture of honey and white wine that was chilled.
  • Gifts with little poems attached were given to guests and friends and family.  
  • Games were played.  Dice throwing, in particular, was part of the fun.
  • The Lord of Misrule was the emcee of festivities and he was chosen by lots... and you were to do whatever he said.  Extra note:  Nero was once chosen to this honor.
  • Slaves were given temporary freedom and might wear a conical hat called a pileus to indicate their free status.
  • Slaves were often served by their masters in a kind of backwards day manner.

So, how should YOU celebrate?  

How about, wine and pizza and night of boardgames and charades?  Happy Saturnalia!

 

May 29th - This Date in Wine History

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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 Italian government named 6 DOCs in 1973: 
  • Cesanese del Piglio; 
  • Cesanese di Affile; 
  • Cesanese di Olevano; 
  • Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà; 
  • Grignolino d'Asti DOC; 
  • Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco DOC;
  • Colli Bolognesi and Colli Bolognesi Classico DOC was created in 1975
  • Spain's Toro DO was established in 1987
  • Happy English Wine Week!
  • Happy National Coq Au Vin Day!
  • Happy Memorial Day!

 

April 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • “Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.” from Othello by William Shakespeare who died in 1616.
  • The Barbaresco DOCG designation was established in 1966.  These wines are from Italy's Piedmont region and are made of Nebbiolo grapes.
  • Vinalia Urbana, a Roman festival celebrated the blessing of new wine and asking the gods for a good harvest.  Offerings were made to Jupiter who blessed the sacred wines used for offerings and Venus who blessed the profane or common wine that was for everyday use. 

 

April 21st - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Parilia, a Roman agricultural festival honoring the founding of Rome by Romulus was celebrated with beverage burranica, a combination of milk and sapa (boiled wine), after drinking this the festival would draw to a close when shepherds ran through a ceremonial fire three times.
  • Dutch painter Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten was born in Haarlem in 1630.  He is known for painting “Still Life with Oysters” featuring a glass of whitewine as accompaniment.
  • Virginia's Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA was designated in 1987.

March 17th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Cagnina di Romagna was made a DOC in 1988.
  • Pagadebit di Romagna DOC was created in 1988.
  • Traditional date for Bacchanalia, celebrating Bacchus, God of Wine.
  • Date for the Liber Pater, which replaced the Bacchanalia, celebrated god of Italian fertility, wine and services.
  • Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!  While not a holiday traditionally associated with wine, if you want a wine with green highlights may we suggest a cold climate Sauvignon Blanc or Vinho Verde (which really translates as Green Wine).

February 28th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Wine writer, Andre Simon was born in 1877.
  • Mario Andretti was born in 1940.  He is one of the founders of Andretti Winery in Napa Valley.
  • California's Rockpile AVA was designated in 2002.
  • California's Trinity Lakes AVA was designated in 2005.
  • Laissez les bons temps rouler!  It is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnivale or whatever your culture calls the day before the beginning of lent.

February 14th - This Date in Wine History

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Valentine's Qorkz

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.

  • Happy Valentine’s Day.  St. Valentine has no reference to wine history, but sweethearts often toast their love with wine or Champagne!  Cheers!
  • New Mexico's Mesilla Valley AVA was designated in 1985.
  • The Côte Roannaise AOC was named in 1994.

January 21st - This Date in Wine History

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Bulgarian Women celebrating Babinden

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.

  • Pope Paschal II died in 1118.  During his reign he appointed a Bishop to oversee the territories of Greenland and Vinland (Newfoundland).
  • Thomas Munson, the American horticulturist who's work with grape rootstock led to phylloxera-resistant stocks died in 1913.
  • Happy Babinden!  This Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian holiday celebrates midwifery and includes Young Mother’s Feast which includes grilled chicken and wine.