November 11th - 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.

  • Today is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours.  St. Martin is the patron saint of vintners, wine growers and winemakers.
  • The Fourth Lateran Council meets today in 1215.  The doctrine of transubstantiation by which  bread and one are transformed into the body and blood of Christ was formalized. It was led by Pope Innocent III.
  • Spain's Bierzo DO was created in 1989
  • The French have a saying, « À la Saint-Martin, jeune ou vieux, bois le vin. » or "At Saint-Martin, young or old, drink wine. " 
  • À la Saint-Martin, bois le vin et laisse l'eau aller au moulin. » or "At Saint-Martin, drink the wine and let the water go to the mill. " 
  • «Si les feuilles de la vigne ne tombent pas avant la Saint-Martin, l'hiver sera froid. » or "If the leaves of the vine do not fall before Saint-Martin, the winter will be cold. "