February 14th - This Date in Wine History

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Valentine's Qorkz

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.

  • Happy Valentine’s Day.  St. Valentine has no reference to wine history, but sweethearts often toast their love with wine or Champagne!  Cheers!
  • New Mexico's Mesilla Valley AVA was designated in 1985.
  • The Côte Roannaise AOC was named in 1994.

January 31st - This Date in Wine History

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Masthead of the Boston Gazette

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 Gazette in 1737 advertised that James Bowdoin had the richest good Canary wines for sale at 8 Shillings per gallon.
  • Celebrating the conclusion of the American Revolution, William Ross, an Innkeeper in Lancaster, PA, hosted a party for 100, including General Mifflin, which included a cold collation, wine, punch and sweet cakes. The party lasted until 4 am on February 1st.
  • The Economist reported that the UK imported 1,338,535 gallons of wine in the month ending January 31, 1875.

January 28th - This Date in Wine History

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The Bal des Ardents from Froissart's Chronicles

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.

  • Charles VI of France almost dies during the Bal des Ardents in 1393.  During the celebration the King and five other nobles performed a charivari dance dressed as wild animals.  They were set ablaze accidentally by the King’s brother, the Duke of Orleans.  The only other noble to survive (besides the King) jumped into a vat of wine to save himself.
  • English writer and critic, George Saintsbury, author of Notes on a Cellar-Book died in 1933.
  • The Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC was created in 1972.
  • California's Napa Valley AVA was designated in 1981.

July 5th - This Date in Wine History

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Photo of Le Vicomte Gérard Elisabeth Alfred de Vergnette de Lamotte

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 eonologist, Alfred de Vergnette de Lamotte was born. He is best know for his work on wine preservation but less known than his contemporary, Louis Pasteur.
  • The Australian Geographical Indication "Wrattonbully" was registered in 2005