January 1st - This Date in Happy New Year
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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.
- Charles II of Navarre, known as Charles the Bad died in 1387. At the end of his life he was so decrepit that his doctor order him wrapped like a mummy in linen soaked in brandy (aqua vitae). A maid dropped a candle and WHOOSH! This was seen as a sign of God’s justice.
- Pope Alexander VI, the former Roderic Borgia was born in 1431. He was known for frequently poisoning the wine of rivals, using the Cup of Borgia, and then confiscated their wealth.
- Henry, Duke of Cornwall was born in 1511. He was the first living child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. To celebrate guns were fired, bells were rung, fires lit and free wine was given to the public. The baby did not survive.
- Pieter Claesz, Dutch golden age painter died in 1660. Wine was often featured in his still life paintings.
- Gregory Blaxland, the first exporter of Australian wine died in 1853.