June 8th - 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 XVII died in 1795.  The son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, he was removed from his parents in 1793.  He was treated cruelly by members of the Committee for Public Safety and died of what is thought to be tuberculosis.  His heart was removed during autopsy and stored in distilled wine at least until it evaporated.  It can be seen at the Basilica of St. Denis in Paris.
  • Nannina de 'Medici married Bernardo Rucellai in 1466. Vernaccia di San Gimignano was served to the wedding guests.
  • Thomas Harris's Novel Hannibal is released in 1999. In the Novel Hannibal Lector sends Clarice Starling a old bottle of Chateau d'Yquem for her 33rd birthday. 
  • California's San Antonio Valley AVA was designated in 2006.
  • It is the feast day of Saint Medardus.  He is the patron saint of vineyards, brewers, prisoners the mentally ill and peasants.  Oh.  And toothaches.
  • National Name Your Poison Day! I say Champagne!
  • The French have a saying, « Pluie de Saint-Médard, tarit le vin et coupe le lard. » “Rain on the day of St. Medard, makes the wine dry and cuts the bacon.