September 22nd - 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.
Anne of Cleves was born in 1515. An episode of Blackadder, Lord Blackadder notes that his father ran through the family fortune on "... on wine, women and amateur dramatics until he had to make out a living by doing humorous impressions of Anne of Cleves”.
In 1598 Playwright Ben Johnson killed actor Gabriel Spencer in a duel and was indicted for manslaughter. He was acquitted. Ben Jonson, the English poet was born in 1572. After the death of Henry IV of France, Jonson decided to re-join the Church of England and showed his renunciation of the Catholic faith by drinking a full chalice of Communion wine which at the time was supposed to only be drunk by the priests. Also Drink to me only with thy eye and I will drink with mine… Or leave a kiss within the cup and I’ll not ask for wine. To Celia…
In 1794 this was the first day of the month of Vendémiaire in the French Revolutionary calendar. The day translates as grape day during the grape harvest month.
It is one of the 3 feast days for Saint Phocas, the patron saint of farmers.
Happy California Wine Month!