December 12th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Pennsylvania ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1787.  It is home to the Central Delaware Valley, Cumberland Valley, Lake Erie, Lancaster Valley,  and Lehigh Valley.

• Edvard Munch was born in 1863.  He was a painter and photographer known for “The Scream” as well as “Self-Portrait with a Bottle of Wine”.

• In 1887. J.T. Doyle of Cupertino revealed that his plot of long-pruned Grossblaue produced a “Thin, dry wine with pronounced astringency.  It was racked and pasteurized for safety”  This wine improved considerably by June of the following year.  Grossblaue is also known as the Slovenian wine grape, Žametovka.

• Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular reported that Senator Henry W. Blair introduced a bill to create a commission to look at Alcohol and taxation.  The purpose of the commission would be to reduce alcohol usage.  

• California's Madera AVA was designated in 1984.

July 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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 Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I invaded the Bulgarian capital of Pliska and steals the treasury of Khan Krum.  Eventually, Krum will have his revenge and Nikephoros skull will end up a wine cup for the Khan.
• Peder Severin Kroyer, a Danish painter, who created a painting called “Hip, Hip Hurrah!” showing a toast at a family picnic was born in 1851.
• Robert Parker born in 1947.
• Pennsylvania and Maryland's Cumberland Valley AVA was designated in 1985.
• It is the feast day of St. Phocas who is a patron saint of gardeners,agricultural workers, farm worker and others.  Remember.  No Farmers?  No wine. 

April 28th - This Date in Wine History

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.

• It is the Roman holiday of Floralia.  It was celebrated with drunkeness, nude dancing and the throwing of legumes and release of hares and goats (like every good festival should).
• Maryland ratified the U.S. Consitution in 1788.  It is home to the Catoctin, Linganore and Cumberland Valley viticultural areas.
• The Palette AOC was created in 1948. 
• The Donnici DOC was named in 1975.
• The Falerio dei Colli Ascolani or Falerio DOC was created in 1975.
• The Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario DOC was established in 1995.

July 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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.

• Peder Severin Kroyer, a Danish painter, who created a painting called “Hip, Hip Hurrah!” showing a toast at a family picnic was born in 1851.
• Robert Parker born in 1947.
• Pennsylvania and Maryland's Cumberland Valley AVA was designated in 1985
• It is the feast day of St. Phocas who is a patron saint of gardeners,agricultural workers, farm worker and others.  Remember.  No Farmers?  No wine.