June 12th - 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.

  • Joseph Ray, a wine and brandy merchant from Virley, Essex was declared bankrupt in 1790 according to the Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure.
  • Peter Poucin of Minneapolis, MN was issued a patent for a fever reducer that consisted of 4 parts white ginger, 4 parts aloes, 3 parts gum camphor, 1/2 part of beaver gallbladder, 3 parts sassafrass and 3 parts gum myrhh mixed with wine or brandy in 1866.
  • Ridley & Co.’s Monthly Wine & Spirit Trade Circular for This date in 1885 reports on the outcome of the court case of Lawrence v. Oronoz  where plaintiff’s claim wrongful dismissal of their contract with 5,000 lbs worth of sherry from Jerez-de-la-Frontera.  The Jury found for the plaintiff’s.
  • It is “Dia dos Namorados” in Brazil.  The equivalent of Valentines Day in  many parts of the world, this celebration of St. Anthony of Padua should be celebrated with champagne and roses!  The reason that the Brazilians don’t celebrate love in February is due to it occurring during the Carnival season.