March 28th - This Date in Wine History

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.

Hannah Glasse, author of The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy was born in 1708.  Her cookbook included instructions for country wines and raisin wines

• In 1903, Cornelius Kingsley Garrison Billings, wealthy industrialist, horseman and tycoon hosted an eccentric horsed dinner where all the guests were seated on a horse and ate off of silver trays affixed to the saddles.  Guests also drank 1898 Krug Champagne from rubber tubes to iced bottles in their saddlebags.  The dinner was held at Louis Sherry’s restaurant.

• The Bianco di Pitigliano DOC was created in 1966. 

• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG designation was established in 1968.

• The Southeastern New England AVA was designated in 1984.

• California's Santa Clara Valley AVA was designated in 1989.

• The French have a saying, « À la Saint-Gontran, espoir s'il fait beau, pain et vin se font voir. » or "At Saint-Gontran, hope if the weather is nice, bread and wine are visible. "

March 25th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Greece declared its independence from Turkey in 1821 freeing wine production from the onerous taxes of the Ottoman Turks.

• French winemaker, Jean-Michel Cazes was born in 1935.

• New York's Cayuga Lake AVA was designated in 1988.

• The Australian Geographical Indication "Clare Valley" was registered in 1999.

• The Australian Geographical Indication "Perricoota" was registered in 1999.

• The Australian Geographical Indication "Adelaide Plains" was registered in 2002.

• The French have a saying, « S'il gèle le 25 mars, pas de grain ni de vin. » or “If it freezes on March 25th, there will be no grain nor wine”.

February 28th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Samuel Pepys drank a pint of wine at the Greyhound Tavern with Mr. Pierce and William Howe in 1660.

• Wine writer, Andre Simon was born in 1877. 

• Mario Andretti was born in 1940.  He is one of the founders of Andretti Winery in Napa Valley.

• California's Rockpile AVA was designated in 2002.

• California's Trinity Lakes AVA was designated in 2005.

• The French have a saying, « Beau ciel à la saint Romain, il y aura des denrées et du bon vin. » or "Beautiful sky at St. Romain, there will be food and good wine. "

February 14th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Happy Valentine’s Day.  St. Valentine has no reference to wine history, but sweethearts often toast their love with wine or Champagne!  Cheers!

• Oregon was admitted to the Union in 1859.  It is home to the Applegate Valley, Chahalem Mountains, Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley, Dundee Hills, Elkton Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Red Hills Douglas County Oregon,  Ribbon Ridge, The Rocks of Milton-Freewater, Rogue Valley,  Snake River Valley, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley, Walla Walla, Willamette Valley and Yamhill-Carlton

• Arizona was admitted to the union in 1912.  It is home to the Sonoita and Willcox viticultural areas.

• Drew Bledsoe was born in 1972.  He is owner of Doubleback Wines in Walla Walla Washington.

• New Mexico's Mesilla Valley AVA was designated in 1985

• The Côte Roannaise AOC was named in 1994

• The Bulgarian’s celebrate Trifon Zarezan (Vineyard Day).  It is an ancient custom that was Christianized but previously offered to Sabazius, Dionysius, Bromius, Bacchus and Lycurgus.  The vines are trimmed, watered with wine and thrown into the River.  Later a meal of chicken (specifically a hen) stuffed with rice or bulgar is served.

• The French have a saying, « Vigneron à la Saint-Valentin, doit avoir serpette en main. » which translates to "Winemakers on Valentine's Day, must have a serpette in hand.” (a serpette is an agricultural knife) 

February 5th -This Date in Wine History

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.

• In 1206 King John orders Ralph the Miller to let Richard de Redvers have two tuns of wine that the king had bought.

• In 1680, the Town of Irvine payed 8 Pounds 3 shilling 8d for “8 pints of claret wine two ounces of tobacco and eight pypes” to honor Granaries sons burial day.

• Wine in the Word: An inquiry concerning the wine Christ made, the wine of the supper,etc. was an address given by Abraham Coles before the Woman's Christian temperance union of Plainfield, N. J., 

• The silent film, Liebfraumilch was released in 1929.  It starred Livio Pavanelli and Henny Porten.

• The French have a saying, « À sainte Agathe va à ta vigne, si ce n'est pour y travailler, au moins pour y déjeuner. » which translates (loosely to "To St. Agatha go to your vineyard, if not to work there, at least to have lunch there.”

January 28th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Charles VI of France almost dies during the Bal des Ardents in 1393.  During the celebration the King and five other nobles performed a charivari dance dressed as wild animals.  They were set ablaze accidentally by the King’s brother, the Duke of Orleans.  The only other noble to survive (besides the King) jumped into a vat of wine to save himself.

• Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known most often as just Colette was born in 1873.  Many of her books describe food and wine including Gigi and the Claudine stories.

• English writer and critic, George Saintsbury, author of Notes on a Cellar-Book died in 1933.

• The Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC was created in 1972.

• California's Napa Valley AVA was designated in 1981.

• The French have a saying, « Si on ne l'a pas fait pour sainte Geneviève, c'est à la saint Charlemagne qu'on met la vigne à sève. » which translates (loosely) to "If it has not been done for Saint Genevieve, it is to Saint Charlemagne that the vineyard is put to the sap.”

January 16th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• French authorities in 1914 abolished wine license taxes for saloon owners. It was seen to encourage the drinking of hard spirits in lieu of the more 'wholesome' wine, beer and ciders.

• Prohibition began in the United States in 1920.

• The French have a saying, « Saint Marcellin, bon pour l'eau, bon pour le vin » which translates (roughly) to "Saint Marcellin’s Day, good for water, good for wine"

• It is the feast day of St. Fursey.  After performing several miracles in France he was offered any site in the King’s dominion for a monastery.  He selected a location along the Marne covered with woods and vineyards.

December 26th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Lord George Gordon, head of the Protestant Association and and the focal point of the Anti-Catholic Gordon Riots was born in 1751.  In 1787 he converted to Judaism while undergoing a trial for defaming Marie Antoinette. While imprisoned in Newgate prison, he was supplied with kosher meat and wine.

• Days of Wine and Roses starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick was released in 1962.

• It is the feast day of St. James the Just who was known for drinking no wine nor the eating of meat and wore only fine linen.

• The French have a saying, « À la saint Étienne, pas de vent, pour le vin c'est excellent. » or "To St Stephen, no wind, for wine is excellent. “

• « Dans la nuit qui amène saint Étienne, s'il fait du vent, le vin sera très abondant » or "In the night that brings St. Stephen, if it makes the wind, the wine will be very abundant “.

• Happy Boxing Day!

October 24th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Titus Flavius Domitianus, Roman Emperor known as Domitian, who banned planting of vineyards in order to increase grain production in the Empire was born in 51 CE.

• Pierre-Cécile Puvis de Chavannes the French painter died in 1898.  He is known for his work, The Wine Press.

• Cotes-de-Provence AOC was created in 1977.

• California's Alexander Valley AVA was designated in 1984.

• California's Central Coast AVA was designated in 1985.

• The Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC classification was created in 1995.

• The French have a saying, « Quand arrive la Saint-Magloire, vigneron sait ce qu'il peut boire. » or "When the Saint-Magloire arrives, the winemaker knows what he can drink. "

October 17th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Saint Ivo of Kermartin was born in Tréguier in Brittany in 1253.  Even at the Sorbonne while other students partied, he refused to eat meat or drink wine.  His skull is kept in a reliquary in the cathedral of Tréguier.

• South African Golfer, Ernie Els was born in 1969.  He is also owner of Ernie Els Vineyards.

• The Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC, Carmignano DOC, San Vito di Luzzi DOC and Scavigna DOC were created in 1994.

• The French have a saying, « Quand Baudouin coupe le raisin, c'est mauvais pour le vin mais bon pour le chou : tout l'hiver, tu en auras goût. » or "When Baudouin cuts the grapes, it is bad for the wine but good for the cabbage: all the winter, you will taste. " 

October 16th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Marie Antoinette, whose breasts are rumored to be the model of the shape of the champagne coupe was executed in 1793.

• The SS  America left Bremen bound for Baltimore with 225 barrels of wine in 1889.

• Joachim von Ribbentrop was executed in 1946.  A German wine merchant, he became Reich Minister of Foreign Affairs under Adolf Hitler.  He was found guilty of Crimes Against Humanity during the Nuremberg trials and hanged.

• The Australian Geographical Indications "Langhorne Creek" and "Lenswood" were registered in 1998.

• The French have a saying, « Pour la Saint-Gall, le raisin fait du mauvais vin. » or "For St. Gallen, the grapes make bad wine. "

September 29th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Queen Elizabeth I on her way to Tilbury Fort 1589 dined on roast goose and Burgundy wine. She fed so heartily that she required an extra half pint of Burgundy with which she drank to the destruction of the Spanish Armada.

• Henri of Artois, Count of Chambord was born in 1820.  His mother named him for Henri IV and similarly baptized him with a spoon of wine and garlic.

• Les Claypool of the band Primas was born in 1963.  He owns Claypool Cellars in the Russian River Valley.

• Happy California Wine Month!

• The French have a saying, “Entre Saint-Michel et Saint-François, prends ta vendange telle qu'elle est ; à Saint-Denis, prends-la si elle y est encore.” or “Between Saint-Michel (today) and Saint-François (October 4), harvest your grapes if they are ready; at Saint-Denis (October 9), take them if they are still there.”

September 21st - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Virgil who died in 19 BCE wrote the Georgics, whose second volume deals with viticulture matters and includes a description of early ice wines.

• Edward II of England died in 1327  His wedding feast with Isabella of France was celebrated with a fountain filled with spiced wine.

• Winston Cup winner, Richard Childress was born in 1945.  He owns Childress Vineyards in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina.

• Happy California Wine Month!

• The French have a saying, “ À la Saint-Matthieu, cueille le raisin si tu veux.” or At St. Matthew, pick the grapes if you like

• Happy International Grenache Day

September 15th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• One of the first known serial killers, Gilles de Rain was taken into custody in 1440.  Young victims were dressed in expensive clothing, given an extravagant meal and hippocras, a sweetened, spiced wine before being tortured, murdered and dismembered.

• The movie, Wine of Youth was released in 1924.

• Sherry, by The Four Seasons hits number one in the US.

• Happy California Wine Month!

• The French have a saying, “La rosée de Saint-Albin est, dit-on, rosée de vin.” or The dew of St. Albin is, it is said dewy with wine.

September 8th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Pedro Julião was elected Pope John XXI in 1276.  During his 8 month papacy, he reversed the rules that limited the food and wine available to Cardinals as they deliberated during conclaves.
• The Chianti Classico DO designation was established in 1967.
• The Niagara Escarpment AVA was designated in 2005.
• It is the feast of Our Lady of the Grape Harvest in Beaujolais France.  The best place to celebrate it is at Notre-Dame-aux-Raisins.
• Happy California Wine Month!
• The French have a saying, “À la Nativité commence la maturité (du raisin)“ or “At the Nativity begins the maturity of the grapes.”

August 20th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Wine, a silent film starring Clara Bow opened in 1924.
• German winemaker, Egon Müller was born in 1959.
• The Controguerra DOC was created in 1996.
• Spain's Arabako Txakolina-Txakolí de Álava DO was created in 2002.
• The French have a saying, « S'il pleut à la Saint-Bernard, tu peux dire adieu à ton vin.» or "If it's raining in the Saint-Bernard, you can say goodbye to your wine. "

August 1st - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Eleanor of Aquitaine became Queen of France in 1137.  Her dowry included Aquitaine including the vineyards or Bordeaux, which remained hers through the marriage and afterwards.
• Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland died in 1714.  A political opponent once wrote of a statue of her, “it was fitting she was depicted with her rump to the church, gazing longingly into a wineshop”.
• Colorado was admitted to the union in 1876.  It is home to  the Grand Valley and West Elks viticultural areas.
• Germany's Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) is renamed Prädikatswein in 2007.
• There is an old French saying “S’il pleut le jour de la Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens, la vinée réduit du tiers,” or approximately “If it rains on the Festival of the Liberation of Saint Peter, the wine will be reduced by a third”.

July 31st - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Daniel Defoe was pillories for the crime of seditious libel in 1703, but was pelted with flowers.  He often supported himself by working as a merchant of wine, hosiery and woolen goods.
• The Bourgueil AOC was created in 1937.  The area is located in the Loire and uses the Cabernet Franc grape.
• The Aversa DOC was created in 1993.  The wine is made in Campania about 3 miles north of Naples an is made from Asprinio grape.
• The Rosso Orvietano DOC was established in 1998.  This red wine can be made from many red grape varietals so long as they contain at least 70% of Aleatico, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sangiovese.
• Spain's Rueda DO was created in 2002.  These wines come from 72 communities in Castile and Leon and made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Verdejo and Viura.
• It is the feast of St. Germain d’Auxerre. There is a French saying, “S’il pleut à la Saint-Germain, c’est comme s’il pleuvait du vin”or (more or less) “Rain on Saint Germain’s day is like it’s raining wine”.

July 22nd - This Date in Wine History

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 History of Lloyd’s of London for 1710 shows that wines from the ship, Francis were advertised in the Tatler and were “To be sold by Tho. Tonkin broker, in Seething Lane between Tower-street and Crutched-Fryars.”
• French forces held Fort Carillion burned down upper and lower town before the British could take control of them.  The fort included an upper and lower town that contained hospitals, wine cellars, ovens and bakeries.
• The Duke of Wellington defeated the French at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812 during the Peninsular Wars. After the defeat Wellington’s men acquired King Joseph-Napoleon Bonaparte’s entire supply of brandy, claret, champagne and burgundy. 
• The Lambrusco Reggiano DOC was created in 1971. The wine comes from the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna.
• The French have a saying, « Sainte-Madeleine fait la noisette pleine le blé épié et le raisin coloré. » or “St. Madeleine is full of nuts, spiked wheat and colored grapes.”

July 11th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Eugénie de Montijo died in 1920.  She was married to Napoleon III who was both President and Emperor of France (sadly, in that order) and was the last empress of France.  She was the grand-daughter of a Scottish wine merchant.
• Hans Irvine, Australian politician and vigneron who recommended using American rootstock to combat Phylloxera in Australia died in 1922.
• It is the feast day of St. Savin of Vienne.  There is a French saying, “Rosée du jour de Saint-Savin, est, dit-on, rosée de vin” which translates (roughly) to “Dew on Saint Savin’s day is said to be the dew of wine”.
• It is also the feast day of St. Benoît of Nursia, he is the patron of Europe, monks, scouts, architects, equestrians, machine operators, refugees and spelunkers.  Oh, and farmers.  And as we know.. No farmers?  No wine.  At one point in his life, the monks under his charge tried to poison his wine.  When the saint made the sign of the cross over his cup, the cup broke.