March 30th - This Date in Wine History

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Francesco_Hayez_022 Sicilian Vespers.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. 

  • The rebellion know as the Sicilian Vespers began in 1282.  The rebellion against the Angevin King Charles I started when French officials joined  locals at Palermo’s Church of the Holy Spirit to celebrate Easter and began to drink. A French soldier dragged a local (married) woman from the crowd and began pestering her.  Her husband then killed the dude and all hell broke out.  The trouble started at vespers or sunset.
  • The Florida Territory was created in 1822.  The area includes wine making regions, Fort Caroline and St. Augustine.
  • Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853.  Along with his paintings of Sunflowers, Starry Nights and his bedroom in Arles, he also painted still lifes of the foods and beverages in his kitchen.
  • Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula AVA was designated in 1982.
  • Tom Angove, inventor of the wine cask (aka bag in a box) died in 2010.

January 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Ezra_Cornell.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.

  • Mt. Etna erupts in 1693. The eruption enriches the fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south.
  • William Thomas Brande was born in 1788 in London.  A chemist, he was the first to be able to calculate the alcohol content of wine, cider, and ale.  He also believed that distilled spirits were toxic, while wine and beer, wholesome.
  • Ezra Cornell was born in 1807.  Cornell was a founder of Western Union and endowed Cornell University which is  known for its viticulture, enology and agricultural sciences programs.

August 11th - This Date in Wine History

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St. Fiacre

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 Etna DOC in Sicily, the Rosso Piceno DOC in Marche, the Valtellina DOC in Lombardy and the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOCin Marche were created in 1968
  • The Vernaccia di Oristano DOC in Sardinia was established in 1971.  The grape Vernaccia di Oristano is different from the Vernaccia grape found on the Italian mainland.
  • "A Walk In The Clouds" the 1995 movie set in 1940s Napa Valley opened.
  • It is the feast day of St. Fiacre.  He is the patron saint of gardeners.  

July 21st - This Date in Wine History

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Concha y Toro

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.

  • Melchor de Concha y Toro, businessman, lawyer, Chilean politician and Marquis of Casa Concha by the Spanish Crown planted vines in the valley of the Maipo River thus creating the Concha y Toro winery died in 1892. 
  • Hungarian sparkling winemaker, József Törley died in 1907.
  • The Verdicchio di Matelica DOC was created in 1967 .  These wines are made of the Verdicchio grape near the Italian commune of Matelica in Marche.
  • The Alcamo DOC was established in 1972.  The region is located around the Italian commune of Alcamo on Sicily.

April 2nd - This Date in Wine History

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St. Urban of Langres

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.

  • Feast day of St. Urban of Langres, patron saint of vineyard workers.
  • The Bianchello di Metauro DOC was created in 1969.
  • The Marsala DOC was created in 1969.
  • The Sartène AOC was designated in 1976.

March 30th - This Date in Wine History

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Sicilian Vespers

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 rebellion know as the Sicilian Vespers began in 1282.  The rebellion against the Angevin King Charles I started when French officials joinedlocals at Palermo’s Church of the Holy Spirit to celebrate Easter and began to drink. A French soldier dragged a local (married) woman from the crowd and began pestering her.  Her husband then killed the dude and all hell broke out.  The trouble started at vespers or sunset.
  • Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula AVA was designated in 1982.
  • Tom Angove, inventor of the wine cask (aka bag in a box) died in 2010.

February 6th - This Date in Wine History

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St. Amandus

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.

  • Feast day of St. Amandus, patron saint of vintners.
  • The Malvasia di Cagliari DOC was created in 1979.

January 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Ezra Cornell

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.

  • Mt. Etna erupts in 1693. The eruption enriches the fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south
  • Ezra Cornell was born in 1807.  Cornell was a founder of Western Union and endowed Cornell University in Ithaca, New York which isknown for its viticulture, enology and agricultural sciences programs.