October 21st - 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.

  • George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence was born in 1449.  He was accused of plotting his brother Edward IV and was executed in the Tower of London by being drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine.

  • Horatio Nelson, Lord Admiral of the British Navy and the Hero of Trafalgar died in 1805. His body was placed in cask of brandy, mixed with camphor and myrrh and later transferred to a lead coffin filled with spirits of wine.

  • Hermann Müller, a Swiss botanist and oenologist created the Müller-Thurgau varietal in 1882 was born in 1850.

  • Ohio's Grand River Valley AVA was designated in 1983.

  • New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania Lake Erie AVA was designated in 1983.

  • California's Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, Russian River Valley AVA were designated in 1983.

  • Verbicaro DOC was created in 1995.

  • Wine for the Confused, a movie by John Cleese was released in 2004.

October 21st - This Date in Wine History

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George_Plantagenet,_Duke_of_Clarence.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.

  • George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence was born in 1449.  He was accused of plotting his brother Edward IV and was executed in the Tower of London by being drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine.
  • Horatio Nelson, Lord Admiral of the British Navy and the Hero of Trafalgar died in 1805. His body was placed in cask of brandy, mixed with camphor and myrrh and later transferred to a lead coffin filled with spirits of wine.
  • Hermann Müller, a Swiss botanist and oenologist created the Müller-Thurgau varietal in 1882 was born in 1850.
  • Ohio's Grand River Valley AVA was designated in 1983.
  • New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania Lake Erie AVA was designated in 1983.
  • California's Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, Russian River Valley AVA were designated in 1983.
  • Verbicaro DOC was created in 1995.
  • Wine for the Confused, a movie by John Cleese was released in 2004.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

Chalk Hill - Wine Region of the Day

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The Chalk Hill AVA is located in Sonoma County, California near the town of Windsor and is a sub-region of the Russian River Valley AVA. Chalk Hill became an AVA in 1988, and its name derives from the region's distinctive volcanic soil of chalky ash. The volcanic soil has given Chalk Hill a distinctive flavor to its white wine varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The Chalk Hill AVA consists of 1,650 acres, most of which are on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains between 200 and 1,300 feet. The climate of the region is considered warm for the Russian River Valley, which combined with the relatively infertile soil, causes the grapes to struggle slightly in their development. This combination of infertile soil and a moderate climate leads to a late harvest and complex fruit flavors. Chalk Hill is known best for producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

Sonoma Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Sonoma Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated across 500,000 acres that stretch from San Pablo Bay to the south and Mendocino to the north, Sonoma Coast is home to multiple sub-appellations Chalk Hill, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Northern Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Fort Ross-Seaview and Sonoma Valley. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. The area has a broad range of soil types and microclimates across its various sub-appellations.  As a result, a wide variety of grapes are grown in Sonoma Coast.  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are predominant but you also find Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel among others.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma

Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.

Chalk Hill - Wine Region Of The Day

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Chalk Hill 

The Chalk Hill AVA is located in Sonoma County, California near the town of Windsor and is a sub-region of the Russian River Valley AVA. Chalk Hill became an AVA in 1988, and its name derives from the region's distinctive volcanic soil of chalky ash. The volcanic soil has given Chalk Hill a distinctive flavor to its white wine varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The Chalk Hill AVA consists of 1,650 acres, most of which are on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains between 200 and 1,300 feet. The climate of the region is considered warm for the Russian River Valley, which combined with the relatively infertile soil, causes the grapes to struggle slightly in their development. This combination of infertile soil and a moderate climate leads to a late harvest and complex fruit flavors. Chalk Hill is known best for producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.