January 4th - This Date in Wine History

/

Australian Opal

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.

  • Johann Menge, who explored Australia's Barossa Valley and extolled its potential for viticulture was born in 1788.  He is also thought to have discovered the first opal in Australia.
  • California's Arroyo Grande Valley AVA was designated in 1990.

December 27th - This Date in Wine History

/

Louis Pasteur by Félix Nadar

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 Methuen Treaty, that established the wine trade between Portugal and England was signed in 1703. This gave Britons access to Portuguese wine during war with France.
  • Louis Pasteur, French chemist and microbiologist who demonstrated that microorganisms contaminated fermenting beverages thus allowing him to invent the process of "pasteurization" was born in 1822.
  • The Valpolicella DOC designation was established in 1990.
  • The Australian Geographical Indications "The Peninsulas” "Far North” "Fleurieu" "Limestone Coast” and"Mount Lofty Ranges" were registered in 1996.

November 19th - This Date in Wine History

/

Portrait of Lily Langtry by Millais

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.

  • California's Guenoc Valley AVA was designated in 1981.  British Actress Lilly Langtry and courtesan, once owned a winery in the valley.
  • Spain's VINOS DE MADRID DO was created in 1990.

November 15th - This Date in Wine History

/

Map of the San Ysidro District viticultural area by Gretchen Miller Neuman for Qorkz.

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 Campidano di Terralba DOC was created in 1975

  • California's Mt. Harlan AVA and San Ysidro District AVA were designated in 1990

  • Spain's Valle de la Orotava DO was established in 1995