January 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 Roseline de Villeneuve died in 1329.  Her shrine is now a winery in Provence.

• Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy was born in 1342.  He outlawed the cultivation of the Gamay grape in favor of pinot noir. to improve the quality of Burgundy wines.

• Lola Montez, royal courtesan of Ludwig I of Bavaria, who's antics incited the people to rebellion by breaking a champagne glass over the head of a police officer died in 1861. Despite her claims of being a Spanish dancer, she was in fact an Irish peasant.

• It is the feast day of Saint Sulpice The Pious.  He was buried at a basilica in Navis near a number of 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!

November 12 - 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.

• North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1789.  It is home of the Appalachian High Country, Haw Valley, Swan Creek, Yadkin Valley and Upper Hiwassee Highlands viticultural areas.  

• King George I of Greece returns after his country is freed from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.  The king grew his own grapes for wine, Chateau Décélie.

• The Australian Geographical Indication "Riverina" was registered in 1998.

• AOC Aloxe-Corton et Aloxe-Corton 1er cru were designated an AOC in 2007.

October 26th - This Date in Wine History

Image courtesy of De Bortoli Wines

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 Rais was executed in 1440 in Nantes, Brittany.  Young victims were dressed in expensive clothing, given an extravagant meal and hippocras, a sweetened, spiced wine before being tortured, murdered and dismembered.

• The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure reports from Bonn that the grape harvest of 1775 was so beyond expectation that there would be no empty casks available to make cider on the Moselle.

• Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V was crowned as King of Germany in 1520.  Charles was known for disliking wine, preferring to drink beer instead.

• Arizona's Sonoita AVA was designated in 1984.

• Deen De Bortoli of De Bortoli wines of Australia died in 2003.

October 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.

• Geoffrey Chaucer died in 1400.  His work was so popular in England that he was granted a gallon of wine each day for the remainder off his life b Edward III in 1374.

• John Britton, later to be an English antiquarian was apprenticed to a wine merchant, Mr. Mendham in 1785.

• Max Stirner, German philosopher and father of nihilism was born in 1806.  He often met with a group of young philosophers called Die Freien for debates at Hippel’s wine bar in Berlin.

• Chilean football star, Elías Figueroa was born in 1946.  He is owner of Vino’s Don Elías in Chile’s Maipo Valley.

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 23rd - 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.

• Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp, Queen of Sweden was born in 1636. At one point, her grandson, Charles XII encountered her while he was inebriated.  She gave him a withering look and turned her back on him.  long look and then turned her back to him. Charles emptied his cup and saying: “My Gracious Lady Grandmother is pleased to forgive me. From hereafter I will never more drink wine”.

• François Clicquot died in 1805, leaving his wife Nicole Barbe Ponsardin as La Veuve (the widow)  Cliquot.

• English writer and critic, George Saintsbury, author of Notes on a Cellar-Book was born in 1845.

• Baron Bettino Ricasoli, the Father of Chianti Classico, died in 1880.

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

October 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.

• In 1884, the California Agricultural Experiment Station crushed Trousseau grapes grown by William Pfeffer of Gubserville.

• The U.S. Department of Treasury determines that Vermouth which previously had be taxed as a cordial will now be taxed as a wine under the act of 1914.

• The Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOC was created in 1987.

• Sideways, starring Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giametti opened in 2004.

October 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.

• George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence was born in 1449.  He was accused of plotting his brother Edward IV and was executed in the Tower of London by being drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine.

• Horatio Nelson, Lord Admiral of the British Navy and the Hero of Trafalgar died in 1805. His body was placed in cask of brandy, mixed with camphor and myrrh and later transferred to a lead coffin filled with spirits of wine.

• Hermann Müller, a Swiss botanist and oenologist created the Müller-Thurgau varietal in 1882 was born in 1850.

• Ohio's Grand River Valley AVA was designated in 1983.

• New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania Lake Erie AVA was designated in 1983.

• California's Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, Russian River Valley AVA were designated in 1983.

• Verbicaro DOC was created in 1995.

• Wine for the Confused, a movie by John Cleese was released in 2004.

October 20th - This Date in Wine History

Photo courtesy of Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof - 76833 Siebeldingen, GERMANY

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.

• Flemish painter, Simon de Vos, was born in 1603.  His paintings often depict people at social gatherings with wine, such as the “Wedding at Cana” and “Gathering of Smokers and Drinkers”.

• South African chemist and viticulturist, Abraham Izak Perold was born in 1880.

• Italy’s Rosso Conero DOC was created in 1990.

• Italy’s Verduno Pelaverga DOC was created in 1995.

• Spain's Rioja DOCa was created in 2004.

• Happy National Brandied Fruit Day!

• National Sweetest Day!

October 19th - 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 English King John (Lackland) died in 1216.  He was known for his love of music, jewels, fancy clothes and “bad” wine.

• The German Wine Route was opened in 1935.

• Spain's Alicante DO and Valencia DO were created in 2000.

• It is the feast day of Saint Verain.  The French AOC Saint-Véran was named in his honor and surrounds the village of Saint-Vérand.

• Happy Global Champagne Day!

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. "

October 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.

• Virgil born today in 70 BCE wrote the Georgics, whose second volume deals with viticulture matters and includes a description of early ice wines.

• Flemish painter, Simon de Vos, died in 1676.  His paintings often depict people at social gatherings with wine, such as the “Wedding at Cana” and “Gathering of Smokers and Drinkers”.

• Mata Hari the Dutch courtesan, dancer and spy was executed by firing squad in 1917.  While she was awaiting execution she was brought a steady supply of champagne and meals from nearby restaurants.

• ‘Red Red Wine’ by UB40 was number 1 on the charts in 1988.

• Today is Pennsylvania Wine Day.

October 12th - 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.

• King Belshazzar of Babylon offers his guests wine from goblets taken from the temple in Jerusalem as the city falls to Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE

• The first Oktoberfest happened in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghhausen.  Tasting of wine and beer took place on the Theresienwiese.

• The 1824 Reflections on the Works of God, and on his Providence by Christopher Christian Sturm describes wine as a “Present of the Divine Goodness, which should excite our warmest gratitude.”

• Helena Modjeska was born in 1840.  She and a small group of Polish artists and aristocrats emigrated to Anaheim, California to create a colony based on Brooks Farm.  They grew muscat grapes which no one would buy but stole… The colony failed and Modjeska returned to the theater but created her home at Arden in Anaheim until 1906.

• Bonforts Wine & Spirits Circular reports that it is anticipated that Champagne will produce a small yield for the 1888 vintage.  This is due a snow and heavy frost in October 1887.

October 6th - 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.

• English Protestant martyr, Rowland Taylor was born in 1510.  He was a supporter of Lady Jane Grey who was overthrown by Mary.   He tried and found guilty of heresy for objecting to the doctrine of transubstantiation where bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  He was burned at the stake.

• John MacCulloch, Scottish geologist and Doctor who introduced the word Malaria into the English language was born in 1773.  He was the son of a wine merchant who returned to England after the French Revolution.

• The Poissardes, also known as the Dames de la Halle forced the King and Queen to leave Versailles for Paris in 1789. These women who had arrived the previous day were said to be the vilest refuse of their sex and were drunk with wine and fury.

• Thomas Jefferson was sent a bill for Portuguese wines from Tonmo and Bocallos wine and regrets that he did not accept the Oeiras wine.  Also included fruit and almonds as gifts.

• E.R. Budden of London, received English Patent 15,790 in 1890 for an Improved Method of and Apparatus for Maturing Wines and like Beverages.

October 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.

• Denis Diderot, French philosopher and writer and editor of Encyclopédie was born in 1713.  A government critic he was incarcerated in the fortress of Vincennes.  He was allowed only one book, Paradise Lost which he made notes in using a toothpick and slate scrapings mixed with wine as ink.

• Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont, referred to as the Chevalier d’Éon was born in 1728.  the Count de Guerchy tried to poison the Chevalier d'Eon by poisoning his wine with opium. The Chevalier was a French diplomat, spy, soldier and Freemason who lived the first half of her life as a man and the second half as a woman.

• Anaheim, California was founded in 1857 by 50 German-Americans who had formed the Anaheim Vineyard Company.

• Bonfort’s Wine and Spirits Circular indicates that the cargo ship Emilie left the port of Lisbon bound for NYC with a cargo of wine in 1887.

• California's San Benito AVA was designated in 1987.

October 4th - 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.

• Louis X of France was born in 1289.  He was an avid player of jeu de paume, also called real tennis and died after an exhausting match and drinking a large quantity of cooled wine.

• The California Agricultural Experiment Station received a shipment of Mondeuse grapes from the J. Gallegos, Experimental Pot, Mission San José in 1889.  The grapes were in good condition, if overripe and were crushed the same day.  

• California's Fiddletown  and Paso Robles AVAs were designated in 1983.

• Washington's Puget Sound AVA was designated in 1995.

October 3rd - 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 1661 Samuel Pepys spent the evening at the Mitre with friends drinking wine and what he refers to as a “Portugal million” (melon) then later complains of a headache due to drinking too much wine.

• The Monteregio of Massa Marittima DOC was established in 1994

• The French have a saying, « À la Saint-Gérard, du vin fait bon marc. » or "At Saint-Gérard (Day), wine makes good marc. "

October 2nd - This Date in Wine History

Photo from Ursula Brühl, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof - 76833 Siebeldingen, GERMANY

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.

• Richard III of England was born in 1452.  During  his reign he established a law outlawing the shorting customers in the sales of wine or oil.

• Charles Albert, King of Sardinia was born in 1798.  At the time of his reign Sardinia included parts of southern France, Monaco and the northern part of the Italian mainland.  When Austria increased the customs duty on Piedmontese wine, the king threatened to build a railroad from Genoa to Lake Maggiore to capture the German market.

• Actress, Lorraine Bracco was born in 1954.  She is known for Good Fellas and The Sopranos.  She is also owner of Bracco Wines in Tuscany.

• Commanderia, an ancient wine that has been described since 800BCE was protected by the Cypriot government in 2002. It holds a PDO in Europe, Canada and the United States and is the distinction of being the world's oldest named wine still in production.  The name comes from the Templar Knights.