September 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Joannes_Fijt_001A lobster in a porcelain dish.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.

  • Jan Fijt, a Flemish Baroque painter known for creepy still life of hunting dogs and dead game but also responsible for beautiful flower paintings and food still lifes  such as A Lobster in a Porcelain Dish died in 1661. 

  • The Barsac,  Chénas  and Moulin-à-vent AOCs were created in 1936.

  • California's St. Helena AVA was designated in 1995.

  • The Vermentino di Gallura DOCG was established in 1996.

  • Spain's Rías Baixas DO was created in 1997.

  • Happy California Wine Month!

September 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Bodega_Granbazan_2Rias Biaxis.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 Barsac,  Chénasand Moulin-à-vent AOCs were created in 1936.
  • California's St. Helena AVA was designated in 1995.
  • The Vermentino di Gallura DOCG was established in 1996.
  • Spain's Rías Baixas DO was created in 1997.
  • Happy California Wine Month!

St. Helena - Wine Region of the Day

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St. Helena

St. Helena AVA gained status as an AVA in 1993 and is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. The AVA is situated on 9,000 acres and is centered on the town of St. Helena, California. St. Helena is Napa Valley's northernmost AVA and sits between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. The soils of the region are sedimentary, gravel-clay soils, with lower fertility and moderate water retention The location, means the region is isolated from the cool ocean breezes and fog that is prevalent in the southern valleys. These conditions make for bright sunny days with radiating heat off the mountains and full-bodied wines that are fruit forward and jammy. The featured wines of the region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Zinfandel.

2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red - Wine of the Day

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2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red

 2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red

$48

Only 25 cases available!!! This has been the find of the year.  85% St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Oak Knoll Merlot.  We keep hearing the same reaction from people when tasting this amazing wine from the barrel “I want to drink all of this now”.

Blackberry all the way with leather and violets living in harmony. A faint hint of orange blossom points to the fresh fruit while the tannins showcase the French Oak.

Napa Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Napa Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1981. Situated on 43,000 acres, Napa Valley is home to sub-appellations Los Carneros, Howell Mountain, Wild Horse Valley, Stags Leap District, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain District, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Chiles Valley, Yountville, Diamond Mountain District, Coombsville, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, and Calistoga. The Napa Valley floor is flanked by the Mayacamas Mountain Range on the western and northern sides the Vaca Mountains on the eastern side. The floor of the main valley gradually rises from sea level at the southern end to 362 feet above sea level at the northern end in Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena. The Oakville and Rutherford AVAs lie within a geographical area known as the Rutherford Bench in the center of the valley floor. The soil at the southern end of the valley consists mainly of sediments deposited by earlier advances and retreats of San Pablo Bay while the soil at the northern end of the valley contains a large volume of volcanic lava and ash. Several microclimates exist within the area due to various weather and geographical influences in the different sub-appellations. The open southern end of the valley floor is cooler during the growing season due to the proximity of San Pablo Bay while the sheltered, closed northern end is often much warmer. The eastern side of the valley tends to be arid because winter storms tend to drop much more precipitation on the western mountains and hills. Napa Valley is known for its world-class production of Cabernet Sauvignon but also produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red - Wine of the Day

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2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red

$48

Only 25 cases available!!! This has been the find of the year.  85% St. HelenaCabernet Sauvignon and 15% Oak Knoll Merlot.  We keep hearing the same reaction from people when tasting this amazing wine from the barrel “I want to drink all of this now”.

Blackberry all the way with leather and violets living in harmony. A faint hint of orange blossom points to the fresh fruit while the tannins showcase the French Oak

2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red - Wine of the Day

/

2013 Playground Cellars Playground Proprietary Red

$48

Only 25 cases available!!! This has been the find of the year.  85% St. HelenaCabernet Sauvignon and 15% Oak Knoll Merlot.  We keep hearing the same reaction from people when tasting this amazing wine from the barrel “I want to drink all of this now”.

Blackberry all the way with leather and violets living in harmony. A faint hint of orange blossom points to the fresh fruit while the tannins showcase the French Oak.

September 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Windmill (Moulin-à-vent) in Beaujolais

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 French AOCs of Barsac,  Chénas and Moulin-à-vent were created in 1936.
  • California's St. Helena AVA was designated in 1995
  • Italy's Vermentino di Gallura DOCG was established in 1996
  • Spain's Rías Baixas DO was created in 1997