December 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.

• The Cape of Good Hope passed laws respecting the sale of  wines in 1762.

• Iowa was admitted as a state in 1846.  It is home to the Loess Hills District and Upper Mississippi River Valley viticultural areas.

• Woodrow Wilson was born in 1856.  He was President at the beginning of Prohibition, which restricted the SALE of alcohol but not the consumption.  At the end of his term as president, Wilson had his wine collection moved to his new residence.

• California's Shenandoah Valley AVA was designated in 1982.

• Virginia's Shenandoah Valley AVA was designated in 1982.

December 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.

• Illinois was admitted to the union in 1818.  It is home to the Shawnee Hills and Upper Mississippi River Valley viticultural areas.

• In 1894, while straining to open a bottle of wine, Robert Louis Stevenson collapsed.  He died a few hours later.

• Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the French impressionist painter died in 1919.  He is known for Luncheon of the Boating Party and Bar du moulin de la Galette which feature revelers enjoying drinks…

• The Faro DOC was established in 1976.

• The Lessona DOC was created in 1976.

May 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.

• Minnesota was admitted to the Union in 1858.  It is home to the Alexandria Lakes and Upper Mississippi River Valley viticultural areas.
• Salvador Dali was born in 1904.  The surrealist artist created a wine book, The Wines of Gala, as well as a cookbook, The Dinners of Gala. (Gala was his wife).
• The Nuragus Di Cagliari DOC was created in 1988.
• Spain's Costers del Segre DO was created in 1988.
• It is the feast day of Odilo of Cluny.  He was the 5th Benedictine Abbot of Cluny. Miracles attributed to him included increases of food and wine.  Empty bottles would miraculously refill.

December 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.

• The Cape of Good Hope passed laws respecting the sale of wines in 1762.
• Iowa was admitted as a state in 1846.  It is home to the Loess Hills District and Upper Mississippi River Valley viticultural areas.
• Woodrow Wilson was born in 1856.  He was President at the beginning of Prohibition, which restricted the SALE of alcohol but not the consumption.  At the end of his term as president, Wilson had his wine collection moved to his new residence.
• California's Shenandoah Valley AVA was designated in 1982.
• Virginia's Shenandoah Valley AVA was designated in 1982.