May 15th - 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.

  • James Mayer de Rothschild was born in 1792.  He was the founder of the French branch of the Rothschild family.  He is known for banking and for purchasing the Château Lafite Rothschild.
  • The Exposition Universelle of 1855 opens in Paris. Emperor Napoleon III ordered the reclassification of Bordeaux wines. This is the basis of the AOC classification system in France.
  • The Monbazillac AOC was created in 1936.
  • The Cassis AOC was created in 1936.
  • California's Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was designated in 1992.
  • Texas' Escondido Valley AVA was designated in 1992.
  • New York's North Fork of Long Island AVA was designated in 2001.
  • It is the feast day of St. Isidore the Farmer. He is patron of agricultural workers, livestock and ranchers.