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 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 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 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.

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.

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. "

May 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.

• Alexandrina Victoria, known later as Queen Victoria was born in 1819.  She was known for enjoying a mix of claret and whisky.
• União Vinícola Regional de Bucelas was created in 1934.  The wines of the region were made popular by the Duke of Wellington. 
• The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC was created in 1968.
• "Judgement of Paris" takes place in 1976.
• The Bivongi DOC was created in 1996.
• The Colli dell'Etruria Centrale DOC was established in 1997.
• Happy International Chardonnay Day!

May 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.

• The British seized John Hancock’s sloop the Liberty in 1768 over a dispute on the importation of Madeira. Riots ensued in Boston over the seizure.
• In 1893, Arthur Wadhams of Galveston, TX is awarded a patent for freezing wine. (496,922)
• Cabernet d'Anjou AOC was created in 1936.
• California's River Junction AVA was designated in 2001.
• National Moscato Wine Day!

April 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.

• Sir William Lawrence writes of treating Elizabeth Jarvis for syphilitic iritis of both eyes, with frequent relapses of inflammation.  She was discharged from St. Bart’s Hospital in London in 1828 after a year’s treatment after treatments that included milk and and wine and meat and wine.
• Lucy Maud Montgomery died in 1942.  She is the Canadian author of the Anne of Green Gables.  In the book, Anne Shirley is separated from her bosom friend and kindred spirit, Diana Barry because Anne accidentally got Diana drunk on currant wine.  They were later reconciled.
• The Pacherenc Vic-Bilh AOC was established in 2007.
• It is the feast day of Fidelis of Sigmaringen, the Capuchin Friar and Martyr is known for not drinking wine and wearing a hair shirt while a student.

April 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.

• In 1670, Lord Buckhurst wrote to George Williamson asking that George Crenit be appointed as one of the Commissioners for the Wine Act.
• In 1811 Captain Russell (of the 4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment) promises the Mess on bottle of wine if Lt. Col. Durrant shall state in his letter to Capt. Junck that the Regiment is likely to remain at Ramsgate during the summer.
• Lieut. H. Neve promised the Mess two bottles of wine if the Regiment remains at Ramsgate during this summer.  These wagers are marked as paid.
• British wine writer Jancis Robinson was born in 1950.
• Lord William Howard of Naworth Castle purchased Easter wine for the communicants at Wetherall in 1626.

April 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. 

• Leonardo da Vinci was born in Florence in 1452.  He is said to have employed his lifelong servant Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno, known as Salaì who worked in his vineyards and a model before becoming a student of da Vinci and eventually companion.  Upon da Vinci’s death Salaì received half of the vineyards.
• The Titanic sank in in 1912.  Like other ships in the White Star Line, it was not christened with Champagne.
• California’s Arroyo Seco AVA was designated in 1983.
• California's Cole Ranch AVA was designated in 1983.
• California's Santa Ynez Valley AVA was designated in 1983.
• Virginia's North Fork of Roanoke AVA was designated in 1983.

April 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. 

• Jan van Riebeeck established a supply camp near the Cape of Good Hope in 1652.  This would become Cape Town and van Riebeeck would plant the first vineyard there.
• The British Medical Journal for December 13, 1862 reports on the care Margaret McCaffrey by the physicians at Liverpool Northern Hospital as she suffered from double bronchopneumonia.  She was treated from January 1st 1862 until April 6th by several glasses of port wine with other medicines.  She recovered.
• Actress Candace Cameron Bure was born in 1976.  She is owner of Bure Family Wines in St. Helena, California. 
• Spain's Chacolí de Getaria-Getariako Txakolina DO was created in 1990.

March 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. 

• Robert Walpole, The Earl of Orford and Prime Minister of Great Britain died in 1745.  He proposed that the tariff on wine and tobacco be replaced by an excise tax.  Revenues had fallen due to smuggling.
• Ernest Gallo was born in 1909.
• George I, King of the Hellenes was assassinated in Thessaloniki in 1913.  The king grew his own grapes for wine, Chateau Décélie.
• The Australian Geographical Indication "Mount Benson" was registered in 1997.
• Fess Parker, film and tv actor and winemaker died in 2010.
• Happy Ag Appreciation Week  Remember, without ag, there is no wine!

March 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. 

• Johann Rudolf Glauber was born in 1604.  He was a German-Dutch alchemist who wrote about improvements in wine making and is considered an early chemist or chemical engineer.
• Parliament passed a duty of 7l. per tun of Madeira and 10s per tun of Portuguese and Spanish wine in 1764.
• William Shilling of Baltimore, MD received a patent  in 1868 for an apparatus for distilling spiritus liquors… specifically “low” wine.
• Paul Draper winemaker at Ridge Vineyards in California was born in 1936 .
• Hugh Johnson OBE, British author and wine expert was born in 1939.
• It is the feast day of St. Himelin.  He became while returning from a pilgrimage to Rome.  He ask a girl for water and was refused due to plague in the area.  When she relented, the water, miraculously turned into wine.  He died of the plague three days later.  

March 7th - 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. 

• Parliament investigated the Duke of York’s behavior with Mrs. Clarke, a courtesan and his mistress.  As the Duke was unable to maintain her in the proper style, she sold commissions to the army with his permission, as Commander in Chief of the army.  In his defense, The Duke said he had met Mrs. Clarke several times and would drink wine with her. 
• Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular published a report from 1890 about the growing season at Hèrault.
• The California Wine Association received a patent for a Hock-type wine in 1911. Hock is style of German white wine and thought to come from Hochheim Germany.
• Robert Mondavi inducted into the Vintner's Hall of Fame in 2007.

March 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. 

• Frederick I Barbarossa was elected King of Germany in 1152.  He died during a a swim in the Saleph River during the third Crusade and his soldiers tried to preserve his body in a cask of vinegar.  It didn’t work.
• Charles Dibdin, a British composer, musician, writer and actor was born in 1745.  He is famous for the song and pantomime, The vineyard revels.
• Vermont was admitted to the union in 1791.  It’s first commercial winery opened in 1997.
• Oh, the humanity!  The Hindenberg had its maiden voyage in 1936.  Before the famous crash that ended Zeppelin flights, the Zeppelin Company provided food and drinks for the passengers including Zeltinger Rothlay Auslese, Moulin à Vent and Mumm, Cordon Rouge.
• The V. Sattui Winery in Napa Valley was opened to the public in 1976.

February 8th - 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 Ruskin, writer, critic, artist and social thinker was born in 1819.  He was the son of a sherry and wine importer.  His father was the founding partner of Ruskin, Telford and Domecq.
• Jack Lemmon was born in 1925.  He starred in the movie, Days of Wine and Roses.
• The Morgon AOC and the Saint-Amour AOC were created in 1946. 
• Vince Neil of Motley Crue was born in 1961.  He owns Vince Neil Vineyards in Sonoma.
• The Bianco di Custoza DOC and the Colli Lanuvini DOC were created in 1971.
• The Salaparuta DOC was established in 2006.

January 31st - 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 Boston Gazette in 1737 advertised that James Bowdoin had the richest good Canary wines for sale at 8 Shillings per gallon.
• Celebrating the conclusion of the American Revolution in 1778, William Ross, an Innkeeper in Lancaster, PA, hosted a party for 100, including General Mifflin, which included a cold collation, wine, punch and sweet cakes. The party lasted until 4 am on February 1st.
• The Economist reported that the UK imported 1,338,535 gallons of wine in the month ending January 31, 1875.
• Theodor Heuss, the first President of West Germany was born in Brackenheim in 1884.  Brackenheim is a the largest wine growing community in Baden-Württemberg.