August 15th - This Date in Wine History

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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 city of Vardzia was consecrated by Queen Tamar of Georgia in 1237.  The cave city was home to 25 wine cellars with 185 wine jars buried in the floor.
  • Gabriel Báthory was born in 1589.  A prince of Transylvania,  he spent his teenaged years under the guardianship of his uncle, Stephen Báthory where he spent his days drinking wine and having affair with his aunt.
  • French oenologist, Alfred de Vergnette de Lamotte, best know for his work on wine preservation, is named a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in 1869. 
  • Barossa Valley and Eden Valley were entered into the Register of Protected Names by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation in 1997.
  • The Australian Geographical Indication “Robe" was registered in 2006.
  • Fête du Vin à Madiran ends.