May 10th - 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.

  • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France in 1774.  The champagne coupe is alleged to be designed after Marie Antoinette’s breast.
  • Robert Gray, an American sea captain was born in 1755.  While at Nootka Sound his ship, Columbia Rediviva was repaired and reprovisioned with large amounts of salmon, pork, eggs, butter, fresh bread, wine, brandy and cabbage by Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra.  The Columbia River is named for his ship.
  • Spain's Condado de Huelva DO was named in 1983.  They produce wines referred to as Wines of the Discovery of America.
  • The Columbia Gorge AVA was designated in 2004.