July 14th - This Date in Wine History

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Fete de la Federation

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.

  • 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.
  • Have a glass of Champagne and shout, "Vive, La France!" It is Bastille Day today.  Remember, today, in 1789 the Bourgeois Militia of Paris stormed the infamous Bastille prison in Paris and released the prisoners.  All 7 of them.  They consisted of 4 forgers, 2 lunatics and a deviant aristocrat (he was arrested for incest).