September 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.

• In 1716 Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici issued the first definition of what wines could be called Chianti

• French oenologist, Pierre Viala, was born in 1859. He was an expert in adapting American rootstock for French vineyards 

• Spain's Cariñena DO was designated in 2002.  These wines are produced in the Aragón province.

• Happy California Wine Month!

• The French have a saying, “À la Saint-Gérard, du vin fait bon marc.” or “At St. Gérard, wine makes good marc brandy”

August 14th - 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.

• John de Vere, 14th Earl of Oxford was born in 1499.  He was considered a wastrel and was ordered by Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey to be restricted to his hunting lodge, restricted his household size and was ordered to, “moderate his excessive hunting, drink less wine, not stay up late, eat less meat, and forbear excessive and superfluous apparel.”
• Cosimo III de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany was born in 1642.  Among his accomplishments was the establishment of the Chianti wine region.
• Oregon Territory was created in 1848.  The territory now contains the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Wyoming and Montana.  There are bonded wineries in all of those states.
• Wine educator, Michel Dovaz was born in 1928.
• Fête du Vin à Madiran begins.

October 31st - 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.

• Christopher Columbus acknowledges a debt of 48 Genoese pounds for wine delivered to him and his father.
• Nikephoros I of the Byzantine Empire was crowned in 802.  His reign didn’t last long.  He was killed in 811 and his skull became his conqueror’s wine cup.
• Cosimo III de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany died in 1723.  Among his accomplishments was the establishment of the Chianti wine region.

August 14th - 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.

• Cosimo III de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany was born in 1642.  Among his accomplishments was the establishment of the Chianti wine region.
• Oregon Territory was created in 1848.  The territory now contains the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Wyoming and Montana.  There are bonded wineries in all of those states.
• Wine educator, Michel Dovaz was born in 1928.
• Fête du Vin à Madiran begins.