May 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 Hashshashin attempt to assassinate Saladin near Aleppo in 1176.  In 1169, Saladin repented wine drinking and frivolity.
• Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac et de Palluau was born in 1622.  He was a French soldier, courtier, Governor of New France and Founder of Fort Frontenac.  The hybrid wine grape Frontenac, developed by the University of Minnesota was named in his honor.
• Nathaniell Sparhawke of Cambridge, MA was issued a license to drawe wine and strong water in Cambridge in 1639.
• English writer, wine-merchant and Master of Wine, Pat Simon died in 2008.
• It is the feast day of St. Rita of Cascia.  Her attributes include a forehead wound (partial stigmata), Roses, bees and grapevines.

May 23 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 23

Antony Oliver disguised as a wine merchant with his merchandise (but really arms for soldiers) drove into the Citadel of Antwerp under the nose of Louis of Nassau in 1572. 

May 22 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 22

English writer, wine-merchant and Master of Wine, Pat Simon died in 2008.

Nathaniell Sparhawke of Cambridge, MA was issued a license to drawe wine and strong water in Cambridge. 

May 21 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 21

John Hancock gave an election dinner at Fanueil Hall in 1791 at which 163 bottles of wine were consumed. 

May 20 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 20 

Albano Carrisi, Italian singer, actor and winemaker was born in 1943. He is the owner of Carrisi Wine Company in Apulia.

Pope John XXI died today in 1277. One of the things accomplished during his 9 month papacy was to ensure that the cardinals electing popes were given sufficient food and wine during their deliberations. Previously, supplies with progressively restricted to ensure a quick election. 

May 19 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 19 

Alcuin scholar, ecclesiastic, poet and teacher from York, Northumbria and first known wine writer died in 804.

California's Seiad Valley AVA was designated in 1994.

Spain's Almansa DO was created in 1975.

Spain's Ampurdán-Costa Brava DO was created in 1975.

Spain's Priorato DO was created in 1975.

The Bianco Capena DOC was created in 1975.

The Savuto DOC was created in 1975.

Thomas Harris' novel, The Silence of the Lambs was published in 1988. In the novel Hannibal Lector describes eating the census taker's liver with fava beans and a big Amarone... Not the Chianti mentioned in the movie. Buffalo Bill also used the larvae of the Black Witch moth in the book and not the Death's-head Hawkmoth used in the film.

May 18 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 18 

The marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England in 1152 brought good cheap Bordeaux wine to the people of England.

May 17 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 17

California's Merritt Island AVA was designated in 1983.

California's Northern Sonoma AVA was designated in 1985.  

May 16 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 16 

New York's The Hamptons, Long Island AVA was designated in 1985.

Robert Mondavi died in 2008. 

May 15 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 15 

California's Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was designated in 1992.

New York's North Fork of Long Island AVA was designated in 2001.

Texas' Escondido Valley AVA was designated in 1992.

The Cassis AOC was created in 1936.

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. 

May 14 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 14 

Mondovino, a film exploring the impact of globalization on the various wine-producing regions, debuts in 2004.

May 13 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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.

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May 13

California's Dunnigan Hills AVA was designated in 1993.

California's Spring Mountain District AVA was designated in 1983. 

May 12 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 12

California's Edna Valley AVA was designated in 1982.

Patrick Ricard of Pernod Ricard was born in 1945.

Pennsylvania's Lancaster Valley AVA was designated in 1982.

The Coteaux-du-Loire AOC was created in 1948. 

May 11 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 11

Spain's Costers del Segre DO was created in 1988.

The Nuragus Di Cagliari DOC was created in 1987. 

May 10 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 10 

Spain's Condado de Huelva DO was named in 1983.

The Columbia Gorge AVA was designated in 2004. 

May 9 - 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. 

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May 9 

Cabernet d'Anjou AOC was created in 1936.

California's River Junction AVA was designated in 2001.

The British seized John Hancock’s sloop the Liberty in 1768 over a dispute on the importation of Madeira. Riots ensued in Boston over the seizure. 

May 8 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 8

California's Clear Lake AVA was designated in 1984.

Washington Post wine columnist and James Beard Award winner, Karen A. Page was born in 1962. 

May 7 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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. 

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May 7

The EST! EST!! EST! EST!!! EST! di Montefiascone di Montefiascone DOC was created in 1966. 

May 6 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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.

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May 6

Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), which translates as "controlled term of origin" is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines was set on this day in 1919.

The Lambrusco Mantovano DOC was created in 1987. 

May 5 - This Date In Wine History

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

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.

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May 5

French Kiss a movie starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Klein about a thief who steals a diamond necklace to start his own vineyard is released.