March 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. 

The Dutch East India Company was created in 1602.  The South African wine industry, started by Jan van Riebeeck a company employee, is a legacy.

Friedrich Hölderlin, German lyric poet was born in 1770 He is known for the poem, Brod und Wein.

James Christie imported 621 1/2 of port wine and 600lbs of Jesuits bark (cinchona bark, the source of quinine) in 1776.

Spain's Plá I Llevant  DO was created in 2001.

Happy Spring!  It is the Vernal Equinox.

Happy Ag Appreciation Week  Remember, without ag, there is no wine!