February 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.

  • The St. Scholastica Day riot was sparked by Oxford students complaining about the quality of the wine at Swindlestock Tavern in 1355.

  • Birthday of Aaron Hill, English writer of “The Walking Statue; Or, the Devil in the Wine Cellar” He was born in 1685.

  • Jefferson Davis is notified in 1861 that he has been made the provisional President of the Confederates States of America.  While at West Point, Davis was a participant in the Egg Nog Riots.  He was held under house arrest for  his role but allowed to graduate.

  • Nicholas Longworth, American banker and winemaker died in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1863.  He was a noted winemaker known particularly for producing sparkling Catawba wines that were highly acclaimed in Europe.

  • In a letter dated 1890 to Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular, the firm of Culbert & Taylor of 39 Broadway in New York, announce that they are the agent’s for Martini & Rossi.

  • Golfer Greg Norman was born in 1955.  He owns Greg Norman Estates in South Australia and California.