August 3rd - This Date in Wine History

/
Ortolans.jpg

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 Siege of Algeciras, during the Reconquista began in 1342.  The victor, Alfonso XI prepared for the seige by taxing expanding the Alcabala tax from bread, wine, fish and clothing to all goods.
  • Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known most often as just Colette died in 1954.  Many of her books describe food and wine including Gigi and the Claudine stories including how to taste wine and eat ortolan.
  • Sant'Agata dei Goti DOC was named in 1993.  These Italian wines come from Campania and are made of Aglianico and Piedirosso grapes.
  • Spain's Montsant DO was created in 2002  These Spanish wines come from Catalonia and are made of Chardonnay, White Grenache, Macabeo, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Parellada, and Xarel·lo. The authorized red varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, 'Hairy' Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Red Picapoll, Syrah and Tempranillo.
  • Happy International Albariño Days!