April 7th - 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.

• Jan van Riebeeck, who planted in the first grapes in Cape Town was born in 1619.

• The Cullen-Harrison Act went into effect in 1933.  This law was an amendment the Volstead Act and allowed the sale and taxation of low alcohol beers and wines.  It was signed into law by Franklin Roosevelt.

• Suzanne Valadon, artist model and painter died in 1938.  She was the subject of the Toulouse Lautrec painting, The Hangover.

• Director Francis Ford Coppola was born in 1939.  He owns Niebaum Coppola, Rubicon Estate, Inglenook, and the Francis Ford Coppola Winery.

• California's Yorkville Highlands AVA was designated in 1998.

• Spain's Penedés DO was created in 2002.

February 13th - 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.

• Parentalia, the Roman festival of the ancestors was celebrated by offerings of flower-garlands, wheat, salt, wine-soaked bread and violets.

• Béla II of Hungary died in 1141.  Known as Béla the blind the Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle indicates that “After King Bela had been established in his rule of the kingdom, he indulged himself much with wine. His courtiers found that whatever they asked of the King in his drunkenness he would grant, and after his drunkenness he could not take it back.”

• The Challenge of Barletta was fought in Italy of 1503.  The tournament was provoked after Charles de la Motte of France, drunk on the local wine, insulted the Italians.

• Elizabeth Stuart died in 1662.  After her marriage to Frederick V, Prince of Palatine and the Rhine, they began their journey to Heidelberg, meeting people from his kingdom and sampling local foods and wines.

• Under a federal law passed in 1862, it was illegal to  “provide spirituous liquor or wine "to any Indian under the charge of any Indian superintendent or Indian agent appointed by the United States”. A fine of $500.00 was charged for each violation.

February 11th - 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.

• Emperor Claudius’ heir Britannicus is thought to have been poisoned by Nero in AD 55 by poisoning the water used to cool Britannicus’ wine.  The water had been previously tasted and found safe.

• Carl Michael Bellman, a Swedish composer, musician, poet, and songwriter died in 1795.  He is best known for Fredman’s songs and Fredman’s epistles which included themes of pleasure, drunkenness and sex.

• Lydia Maria Child was born in 1802.  She was an abolitionist, novelist, and activist for women’s and native American rights.  She is famous for writing “Over the River and Through the Wood” and the American Frugal Housewife which included recipes for food and cures that include wine as well as for wines themselves.

• The term Eiswin was coined on this day in 1830 to describe the wines of the 1829 harvest in Bingen-Dromersheim. 

• William Thomas Brande died in 1866.  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.

• Seyssel AOC was named in 1942.

February 3rd - 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 1468 Johannes Gutenberg died. He invented the method of printing from moveable type. One of the important innovations in his method was a new press, similar to the screw presses used in winemaking.

• Samuel Pepys reports in his diary that he went out with this cousin Roger to Priors, a Rhenish wine-house and had a “pint or two of wine and a dish of anchovies in1660.

• Woodrow Wilson died in 1924.  He was President at the beginning of Prohibition, which restricted the SALE of alcohol but not the consumption.  At the end of his term as president, Wilson had his wine collection moved to his new residence.

• The father of Washington State wines, Dr. Walter J. Clore died this day in 2003.

January 16th - 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.

• French authorities in 1914 abolished wine license taxes for saloon owners. It was seen to encourage the drinking of hard spirits in lieu of the more 'wholesome' wine, beer and ciders.

• Prohibition began in the United States in 1920.

• The French have a saying, « Saint Marcellin, bon pour l'eau, bon pour le vin » which translates (roughly) to "Saint Marcellin’s Day, good for water, good for wine"

• It is the feast day of St. Fursey.  After performing several miracles in France he was offered any site in the King’s dominion for a monastery.  He selected a location along the Marne covered with woods and vineyards.

January 15th - 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 a letter to the Earl of Grosvenor in 1829, William Cobbett of Cobbett’s Weekly Political Register discusses the cost of living in the United States and how much more reasonable costs for Claret, Port, Madeira, spirits and hard ale (for nobody will drink small beer in that country).

• The Western Temperance Journal dated 1841 ran a story about a married couple couple that comes to ruin because the man drank a glass of wine with a friend.

• The California State Viticultural Commissioners met in San Francisco in 1887.  They discussed legislation relating to sweet wine.

• Wine maker, Jose Ignacio Domecq dies in 1997.

December 23rd - This Date in Wine History

Festivus meatloaf, served on lettuce.

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.

• Jean François Champollion was born in 1790.  He was known for deciphering the Rosetta Stone.  It contains records from Ptolemy V including donations of wine to temples and vineyard harvests.

• Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular reports that weather on this date in 1889 had been so bad that there were fewer customers to purchase brandy in Charentes.

• California's Redwood Valley AVA was designated in 1996.

• Happy Festivus.  Please watch your imbibing of spirits before the airing of  grievances or feats of strength.

December 5th - 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.

• Sir Francis Drake discusses his stop in valperizo (Valparaiso) to re-provision his ship with wine, bread, bacon, etc for a long season in 1578.  

• Prohibition is repealed in 1933.

• In 1985, a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite Bordeaux that had belonged to Thomas Jefferson sold at Christie’s London for 105,000 British Pounds making it the world’s most expensive wine. (it was probably a fake).

• The Savennières AOC was designated in 1996.

September 3rd - 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.

• San Marino the world’s oldest republic still in existence was founded in 301 by Saint Marinus.  Their leading agricultural exports are wine and cheese.
• The U.S. Government submitted a remittance to the estate of Filippo Mazzei in 1822.  Mazzei was an Italian physician, importer pamphleteer and friend of Thomas Jefferson who with Jefferson established the first commercial winery in Virginia.
• The Mamertino DOC was established in 2004.  This wine region is from Messina, Sicily.
• The French have a saying, “À la saint Grégoire, taille la vigne pour boire” or On St. Gregory’s Day cut the vine to drink.
• Happy California Wine Month!

August 30th - 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.

• Joseph Dennie, American author and journalist was born in 1768.  He was a Federalist who also published under the names Oliver Oldschool, Academicus and Sociais.  He was described as having health trouble throughout his life as well as a predilection for wine.
• Agoston Haraszthy, the "Father of California Viticulture" and founder of Buena Vista Vineyards was born in 1812
• The Pharmaceutical Journal for 1873 provided a general recipe for Iodine wine which is made by fermented grape juice in contact with powdered marine plants. 
• The Mississippi Delta AVA was designated in 1984.
• It is the feast day of St. Fiacre. He is the patron saint of gardeners.  
• Happy International Cabernet Day!

July 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.

• Samuel Pepys met and went out with the children Vice Admiral Sir George Carteret and were out so late they were unable to get a ferry boat back to the house, so they slept in a coach on the Isle of Dogs until one was available,  feasted on wine and snacks then headed home.
• The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction in 1824 reported on the Palace of the King of the Sandwich Islands, quoting Goldsmith in his Traveller 

“But where to find that happiest spot below, 
who can direct, when all pretend to know? 
The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone 
Boldly proclaims that happiest spot his own:  
Extols the treasures of his stormy seas, 
And his long nights of revelry and ease.  
The naked negro, panting at the line, 
Boasts of his golden sands and palmy wine, - 
Basks in the glare, or stems the tepid wave, 
And thanks his gods for all the good they gave.”

— Oliver Goldsmith

• Alphonse Mucha, a Czech painter of the Art Nouveau period was born in  1860. He is known for advertising illustrations for many products including Moet & Chandon, Vins des Incas, F. Champenois, Benedictine, Ruinart, Heidsieck, 
• President McKinley entered into a treaty with the King of Portugal to reduce tariffs on wine in 1897.

July 5th - 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 1709, the Earl of Seafield submitted the concerns of wine merchants to the Lord High Treasurer about the amount of Spanish wine flooding the British Market.
• Sylvester Graham was born in 1794.  An itinerant preacher, he believed in vegetarianism and temperance to cure cholera when the accepted belief was eating plenty of meat, few veggies and drinking port.   He also believed that who grain crackers (Graham crackers) would prevent ‘self-pollution (masturbation).
• The Everyday Book of 1838 relays a story about Swan-hopping in the City (London) where a group of gentlemen were scammed out of the cost of lunch for a group of ladies (and their servants) during an expedition up river to watch the ceremony to mark the swans of London.  The gentlemen in question found that they had been left with bill by the ladies who claimed that “their husbands” would cover the costs  of their dinner, dessert, wine,tea etc.  7£ 10 shilling.  By the way, London swans are still marked in London and are considered to be owned by the Queen, the dyers guild and the vintners guild.
• French eonologist, Alfred de Vergnette de Lamotte was born in 1806. He is best know for his work on wine preservation.
• The Australian Geographical Indication "Wrattonbully" was registered in 2005.

July 4th - 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 1660, Samuel Pepys met with Mr. Butler and William Bowyer at Westminster Hall and took them to the Sun Tavern where he gave them lobster and wine.
• Founding father's toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a glass (or more) or Madeira.
• Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father and wine lover died in 1826. John Adams did as well but he didn't supply the government with wine from his own collection.
• It is the feast day of Blessed Catherine Jarrige.  She helped priests escape the French Revolution providing vestments, wine and wafers for mass.  She also disguised a priest as a peasant and poured wine on him to make it look like he was drunk.  When encountering a soldier, she began to berate her “husband” the soldier said, “Citizen if I had a wife like that I’d drown her in the nearest river” to which the priest responded, “Citizen so would I!”
• Happy 4th of July from Qorkz!

May 10th - 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.

• Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France in 1774.  The champagne coupe is alleged to be designed after Marie Antoinette’s breast.
• Robert Gray, an American sea captain was born in 1755.  While at Nootka Sound his ship, Columbia Rediviva was repaired and reprovisioned with large amounts of salmon, pork, eggs, butter, fresh bread, wine, brandy and cabbage by Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra.  The Columbia River is named for his ship.
• Spain's Condado de Huelva DO was named in 1983.  They produce wines referred to as Wines of the Discovery of America.
• The Columbia Gorge AVA was designated in 2004.

May 2nd - 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.

• Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519.  He is said to have employed his lifelong servant Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno, known as Salaì who worked in his vineyards and a model before becoming a student of da Vinci and eventually companion.  Upon da Vinci’s death Salaì received half of the vineyards.
• Cardinal Rodolfo Pio da Carpi died in 1564.  After the death of Pope Paul IV, it was thought that he was thought to be the favorite candidate of King Philip II of Spain.  He and Cardinal Ricci started the rumor that Cardinal de’ Medici had Lutheran tendencies and was going to loosen the requirements on celibacy in the clergy and allow the hoi polloi (laity) to receive both the bread and wine during communion.  This knocked Pio da Carpi out of the running.
• The United States passed a law about collecting duties on wine in 1792.
• Michael Broadbent, British wine critic, writer, auctioneer and preeminent authority on wine tasting and old wines was born in 1927. 
• Julio Gallo died in near Tracy California 1993.
• The French have a saying, « C'est à la Saint-Antonin, que vend son vin le malin. » or, “Sell your wine at St. Antoninus day before the Ice Saints come.”

October 27th - 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.

• The USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) was christened in 1797 with a bottle of Madeira.
• Woodrow Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act in 1919.  Volstead Act prohibited the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages (BOOO).
• California's Mendocino Ridge AVA was designated in 1997.

September 3rd - 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.

• The U.S. Government submitted a remittance to the estate of Filippo Mazzei in 1822.  Mazzei was an Italian physician, importer pamphleteer and friend of Thomas Jefferson who with Jefferson established the first commercial winery in Virginia.
• The Mamertino DOC was established in 2004.  This wine region is from Messina, Sicily.
• The French have a saying, “À la saint Grégoire, taille la vigne pour boire” or "On St. Gregory’s Day cut the vine to drink" (more or less)
• Happy California Wine Month!

July 27th - 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.

• The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal in 1842 had an article the treatment for insanity including medicines made with warm water, wine and molasses.
• In a letter dated July 27, 1888, J.W. Hyde of Grace Church, Waterville, NY took the opinion that if the Lord chose wine as one of the symbols of the Eucharist, that it is not the job of men to question his wisdom.
• In a 1901 report from Ambassador Thornwall Haynes indicates that Portuguese wine producers requested permission to distill some of the 132,000,000 gallons of surplus wine to ease the storage crisis.

July 4th - 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.

• Founding father's toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a glass (or more) or Madeira
• Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father and wine lover died in 1826.  John Adams did as well but he didn't supply the government with wine from his own collection.
• It is the feast day of Blessed Catherine Jarrige.  She helped priests escape the French Revolution providing vestments, wine and wafers for mass.  She also disguised a priest as a peasant and poured wine on him to make it look like he was drunk.  When encountering a soldier, she began to berate her “husband” the soldier said, “Citizen if I had a wife like that I’d drown her in the nearest river” to which the priest responded, “Citizen so would I!”
• Happy 4th of July from Qorkz!

February 1st - 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.

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•  "He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored" The Battle Hymn of the Republic is first published in 1862.
• In 1888, New York City Excise Board Commissioner revoked licenses for individuals with licenses to sell beer, ale and wine for selling “spirituous liquors”.