December 15th - This Date in Wine History

The Girl With a Wine Glass @1659 by Johannes Vermeer


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.


  • Emperor Nero who rose to power by poisoning Emperor Claudius’ heir Britannicusthrough the water used to cool Britannicus’ wine was born in 37AD. 
  • Johannes Vermeer, painter of "The Wine Glass, A Lady Drinking and a Gentleman" and "The Girl with the Wineglass" was died in 1675.