May 22nd - 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 Hashshashin attempt to assassinate Saladin near Aleppo in 1176.  In 1169, Saladin repented wine drinking and frivolity.
  • Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac et de Palluau was born in 1622.  He was a French soldier, courtier, Governor of New France and Founder of Fort Frontenac.  The hybrid wine grape Frontenac, developed by the University of Minnesota was named in his honor.
  • Nathaniell Sparhawke of Cambridge, MA was issued a license to drawe wine and strong water in Cambridge in 1639.
  • English writer, wine-merchant and Master of Wine, Pat Simon died in 2008.
  • It is the feast day of St. Rita of Cascia.  Her attributes include a forehead wound (partial stigmata), Roses, bees and grapevines.