June 25th - 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.

  • A lawsuit was filed against New Haven's first publican, Henry Tomlinson in 1656 for charging more for strong water, wine and beer than was allowed and for keeping a disorderly house. He allowed young men and maids to attend his house, dance and play at shuffle board. (The horror!)
  • Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788.  It is home to the Appalachian High Country, Middleburg Virginia, Monticello, North Fork of Roanoke, North Neck George Washington Birthplace, Rocky Knob, Shenandoah Valley and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
  • Antoni Gaudí was born in 1852.  He was an architect known for the style known as Catalan Modernism.  He is famous for the Sagrada Familia and the Güell wine cellars.
  • The Bonfires Wine and Spirit Circular for this date in 1887 contained an advertisement for Roederer Dry Champagne as a new product in the United States.
  • Robert Lawrence Balzer, America's first serious wine journalist was born in 1912.

January 2nd - This Date in Wine History

Adelard Corbie Gardeners.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. 

  • Georgia ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788.  It is now home to the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA.
  • Virginia's Eastern Shore AVA was designated in 1994.
  • It is the feast day of St. Adalard of Corbie.  He was the cousin of Charlemagne and is patron saint of gardeners.