September 20th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Robert of Geneva was elected Pope Clement VII in 1378.  He was the first of the Avignon Popes which brought us the delicious Chateauneuf-du-Papes.
  • Ferdinand Magellan left with 270 sailors from Cadiz Spain in 1519 to circumnavigate the globe.  When provisioning his ships he paid more for Sherry than for weapons. This was perhaps the wrong choice as he was killed during the voyage by angry Filipinos.
  • Italy’s Solopacaand Malvasia delle Lipari DOCs were established in 1973.
  • Portugal’s Rota dos Vinhos do Dão was created in 1995.
  • Happy California Wine Month!
  • The French have a saying, “Gelée blanche pour Saint-Eustache grossit le raisin qui tache.“ or White jelly for Saint-Eustace magnifies the grape that stain.