February 16th - 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.
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor issued an edict in 1358 that vineyards be planted “On all the hills that face the noon in three miles around Prague. Everyone who owns such a hill is to commence such undertaking within fourteen days from the date of the issue of this edict. Anyone who would not or could not so undertake, let it be undertaken on their land by the man the vinemaster shall lend to them. Anyone who will establish a vineyard shall from the date of commencement to do so and for twelve years thereafter be exempted from all taxes and levies...”
Philipp Melanchthon was born in 1497. He was a collaborator of Martin Luther and helped create the early theology of the Lutheran Church, such as the rejection of the idea of transubstantiation.
Joseph Victor von Scheffel, a German poet and novelist was born in 1826. He wrote Gaudeamus, Lieder aus dem Engeren und Weiteren, a collection of humorous songs that are about student life and wine.
California's Covelo AVA and Washington's Rattlesnake Hills AVA was designated in 2006.
