April 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.

• James Boswell reports in “The Life of Samuel Johnson, L.L. D.” that Dr. Johnson laments during his Meditations that “Good Friday, April 20, 1764.  I have made no reformation; I have lived totally useless, more sensual in thought, and more addicted to win and meat.” due to royal munificence.
• The Mechanics Magazine, Volume 32 indicates that William Stone of Winsley, County of Wiltshire, gentleman was granted a patent for improvements in the maturacture of wine in 1840.
• Box wine was invented by Tom Angove in 1965.
• The Coteaux-des-Baux-en-Provence AOC was created in 1995.