July 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.

• Francis Drake and Howard of Effingham distributed wine and cake when they learned of the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English in 1588.
• In a sermon, A Serious Admonition to All Despisers of the Clergy: In a Sermon Preach’d before William, Lord Bishop of Chester, dated 1712, Henry Newcome offers the metaphor that the clergy could be seen “like the best Wine, at once both sharp and sweet”.
• In a letter dated 1887 by Forquet de Dorne to Bonfort’s Wine and Spirits Circular, M. Forquet describes the proceedings of the Champagne Syndicate v. Lécluze.  M. Lécluze was trying to market his Saumur (Loire) wines as Champagne.  M. Lécluze was forbidden to use the words, “Champagne wines” or “Champagne” on any wine not made in the Champagne district.