March 24th - 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.


  • James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England upon the death of Elizabeth I.  In the last years of his life he suffered from gout and kidney stones and described his urine as having the "dark red colour of Alicante wine". Ew.
  • The Coteaux-Varois AOC was created in 1993.  The primary grapes are Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Mourvédre, Syrah and Carignan.
  • The Cour-Cheverny AOC was created in 1993.  The primary grapes are Sauvignon Blanc (blended with Arbois), Chardonnay and Pineau Blanc de la Loire for white wines, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Côt for Reds and Pineau d’aunis for Rosé.
  • Happy Agriculture Week.  Remember, without agriculture there is no wine!

November 14th - This Date in Wine History

1852 Levasseur Map of the Department De La Loire Inferieure, France (Muscadet Wine Region) - Geographicus


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.


  • France’s Anjou, Muscadet-Coteaux de la Loire, Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine, Saumur, Saumur-Champigny and Pauillac AOCs were created in 1936.
  • France’s Bandol and Bellet AOCs were created in 1941.
  • Italy’s Moscato d'Asti DOC was created in 1977.
  • France’s Anjou Villages AOC was created in 1991.
  • Spain’s Cava DO was created in 1991.
  • Italy’s MorellinPo di Scansano DOC designation was established in 2006.