March 7th - 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. 

  • Parliament investigated the Duke of York’s behavior with Mrs. Clarke, a courtesan and his mistress.  As the Duke was unable to maintain her in the proper style, she sold commissions to the army with his permission, as Commander in Chief of the army.  In his defense, The Duke said he had met Mrs. Clarke several times and would drink wine with her. 
  • Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular published a report from 1890 about the growing season at Hèrault.
  • The California Wine Association received a patent for a Hock-type wine in 1911. Hock is style of German white wine and thought to come from Hochheim Germany.
  • Robert Mondavi inducted into the Vintner's Hall of Fame in 2007.