August 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.

• Louis François, Prince of Conti was born in 1717.  He purchased the Burgundy vineyard, La Romanée in 1760.  It has been known as Romanée-Conti ever since.
• James Gillray was born in 1756.  He was an English caricaturist and printmaker who parodied life in Georgian England.
• Eduard Buchner died in 1917.  He was a German chemist  who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on fermentation. He showed that an extract that was free of living yeast cells could still lead to fermentation.
• The Fara DOC was created in 1969.  These wines are produced around the commune of Fara and are made of Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Uva Rara
• The Arcole DOC designation was established in 2000.  These wines are produced around the Verona and Vicenza and made from Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Garganega and Bianco Arcole. 

August 12th - 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.

• Cleopatra died in 30 BC.  She is said to have owned the largest pearls in the world and she bet Marc Antony that she could spend a small fortune on a single  meal.  She won the bet by taking one of the pearls and dissolving it in wine vinegar and drinking the mix.
• The City of Jerez Spain in 1483 issued rules regarding The Raisin and Grape Harvesting Guild, protecting the designation of “Sherry”.
• Christopher Columbus stops in the Canary Islands in 1492 to restock provisions.  Food, water, delicious Canary wine….
• The French départment of Rhône-et-Loire was split into the départments of Rhône and Loire.  
• Eddie Barlow, South African cricketer was born in 1940.  In his retirement he bought a vineyard named Windfall.

August 11 - 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 Etna DOC in Sicily, the Rosso Piceno DOC in Marche, the Valtellina DOC in Lombardy and the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC  in Marche were created in 1968.
• The Vernaccia di Oristano DOC in Sardinia was established in 1971.  The grape Vernaccia di Oristano is different from the Vernaccia grape found on the Italian mainland.
• "A Walk In The Clouds" the 1995 movie set in 1940s Napa Valley opened.
• It is the feast day of St. Fiacre in Roman Martyrology. He is the patron saint of gardeners.  

August 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.

• In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães in Portuguese) left Seville, Spain for his around the world voyage. When provisioning his ships he paid more for Sherry than for weapons. This was perhaps the wrong choice as he was killed during the voyage by angry Filipinos.
• Eusebius Kino was born in 1645.  He was an Italian Jesuit and missionary who founded missions throughout Pimeria Alta (Upper Pima) in New Spain.  These missions were located in what is now northern Sonora in Mexico and Arizona.  Some of these missions had vineyards.  There is a wine from Baja California named in his honor.  
• Missouri was admitted to the union in 1821.  It is home to the Augusta, Hermann, Loess Hills, Ozark Highlands and Ozark Mountain viticultural areas.
• Margaux AOC in Bordeaux and the Quarts-de-chaume AOC in the Loire were named in 1954.
• Actor, Antonio Banderas was born in 1960.  As well as starring in Pedro Almodóvar’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Tie Me Up! Tie me Down!, he is owner of Anti Banderas in Ribera del Duero in Spain.
• It is the feast day of Saint Lawrence of Rome. He is a patron saint of Vintners who was martyred by grilling.

Qorkz Kitchen - Lamb Skewers

Lamb Skewers  -  Recipe by Chef Jayne Reichert

Serves 6

• 2 pounds lamb sirloin
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon Greek dried Oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried Thyme
• 1 cup red wine
• ½ cup of olive oil
• 1 or 2 oranges, zest, and juice from 1
• Salt
• Pepper

For Serving:

• 1 Onion
• Splash of vinegar
• Fresh oregano
• Tzatziki
• Flatbreads

Pound 2 of the cloves of garlic into a paste with a bit of salt.  Remove all of the surface fat from the sirloin of lamb and rub the garlic paste into the lamb.  Allow this to sit for an hour or so, then cut the lamb into 1-inch cubes.  Make a spice rub for the lamb by combining the salt, pepper, thyme and Greek Oregano.   Season the lamb pieces generously with the rub and allow this to sit for an hour.  

Pound the remaining 2 cloves of garlic into a paste and in a mixing bowl combine with the olive oil, red wine, orange zest, and juice.

Pour the marinade over the lamb pieces and allow the lamb to sit for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight covered in the refrigerator.

Remove the lamb 1 hour prior to cooking so that it comes up to temperature.  Either light your grill or heat a grill pan over a medium-high flame.  Remove the lamb from the marinade and pat dry.  Oil your grill or grill pan.  You may either skewer the lamb pieces or cook them directly on the grill or pan.  If you skewer them remember to leave space between the pieces so that they brown evenly and do not steam.  Cook the skewers or pieces approximately 3 to 5 minutes per side, remove them from the pan and allow them to sit for a minute.  

Peel and slice the onion lengthwise from stem to root.  Season the onion with a bit of salt, a splash of vinegar, a drizzle of olive oil and some freshly chopped oregano.

Serve the skewers with the onions, a bit of Tzatziki on flatbreads.   Some sun-ripened tomatoes tossed with basil and roasted corn on the cob with feta and cilantro would be great side dishes.

Pair with: Schlein Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

August 9th - 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.

• Hieronymus Bosch dies in 1516.  He was a Dutch painter known for his detailed works such as The Marriage at Cana; The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things, and the Allegory of Gluttony and Lust. 
• Mary Randolph, author of the cookbook, The Virginia House-Wife; Or, Methodical Cook was born in 1762.  She includes recipes for currant wine and mead and included recipes that included wine.
• Henry David Thoreau’s Walden; or, Life in the Woods was published in 1854.  It contains "I would fain keep sober always.... I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man; wine is not so noble a liquor.... Of all ebriosity, who does not prefer to be intoxicated by the air he breathes?” (crazy talk!)
• William Vere Cruess, food scientist responsible for rebirth of the California wine industry after prohibition was born in 1886.  He is also credited with creating the formula for fruit cocktail.

August 8th - 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.

• George Canning, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, died in 1827.  He was born in Londonerry, Ireland, the son of a failed wine merchant and lawyer.
• Baron James de Rothschild acquired the Chateau Lafite in 1868.
• Salvador Dalí re-married Elena Ivanovna Diakonova, better known as Gala in a Catholic ceremony in 1958.  They were married in a civil ceremony in 1934. He later created a wine book, The Wines of Gala, as well as a cookbook, The Dinners of Gala in her honor.
• New Jersey's Warren Hills AVA was designated in 1988.
• It is the feast day of  Saint Cyriacus.  He is a patron saint of viticulture and is also known as one of the 14 holy helpers.

August 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.

• Pope John XXII was elected in 1316. Under his reign wines around Avignon, France began to be referred to as "Vin du Pape”.
• Mata Hari the Dutch courtesan, dancer and spy was born in 1876.  While she was awaiting execution she was brought a steady supply of champagne and meals from nearby restaurants.
• The Wine and Spirit Bulletin of 1908 has an announcement of the Marriage of Lee Mida of Mida’s Criterion was married to Miss Louise Henrietta Gueth.
• Ohio was re-admitted to the Union in 1953.  When it was first admitted to the Union in 1803, a formal resolution of Congress was not required.  That was fixed in 1953.  Ohio is home to the Grand River Valley, Isle St. George, Lake Erie, Loramie Creek and Ohio River Valley.

August 6th - 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.

• Ben Jonson, the English poet died in 1637.  After the death of Henry IV of France, Jonson decided to re-join the Church of England and showed his renunciation of the Catholic faith by drinking a full chalice of Communion wine which at the time was supposed to only be drunk by the priests.
• Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Valazquez died in 1660.  He was a Spanish painter known for The Triumph of Bacchus or The Drunks.
• The Aramon Red was deemed, “A good, bright wine, with a pleasant and agreeable bouquet and flavor in 1889.  The wine was made at the J.T. Doyle Experimental Plot in Cupertino.
• The Colli Albani DOC and Marino DOC were created in 1970.  These wines come from Alban hills outside of Rome in Lazio.

August 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.

• Guillaume Du Fay, the Franco- Flemish Renaissance composer was born in 1397.  He is noted as the Canon of Cambrai in documentation when he received 36 lots of wine for the feast of St. John the Evangelist.
• Pierre-François Bouchard died in 1822.  He was known for discovering the Rosetta Stone.  It contains records from Ptolemy V including donations of wine to temples and vineyard harvests.
• The Sannio DOC was named in 1997.  The region, in Campania produces red, white, rose and sparkling wine from Aglianisco, Barbera, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Moscato, Piedirosso, Sangiovese, Sciascinoso and Trebbiano.
• Happy International Albariño Days!

August 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.

• The Hotel-Dieu de Beaune was founded by Nicolas Rolin in 1443. The vineyards of the Hospices de Beaune have supported the Hotel-Dieu for centuries. 
• Dom Pérignon makes the first champagne in 1693 (or discovers he did).
• In his speech to the Thirtieth Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association for 1862, John Higginbottom, Esq., F.R.S., Nottingham relays that he had used wine and brandy to treat a post partum hemorrhage in a case dated in 1860.  He later decided liquor was not part of what he considered “best practices”. 
• Jeanne Calment, the French supercentenarian who lived to 122 years, 164 days died in 1997.  She was known to smoke a cigar or cigarette and drink a small glass of Port everyday from ages 111-114.
• The Galluccio DOC was established in 1997.  It comes from the Italian province of Caserta and can be made with Falanghina or Aglianico.
• Happy International Albariño Days!
• Happy National White Wine Day.
• Happy Mead Day.

August 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 Siege of Algeciras, during the Reconquista began in 1342.  The victor, Alfonso XI prepared for the seige by taxing expanding the Alcabala tax from bread, wine, fish and clothing to all goods.
• Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known most often as just Colette died in 1954.  Many of her books describe food and wine including Gigi and the Claudine stories including how to taste wine and eat ortolan.
• Sant'Agata dei Goti DOC was named in 1993.  These Italian wines come from Campania and are made of Aglianico and Piedirosso grapes.
• Spain's Montsant DO was created in 2002  These Spanish wines come from Catalonia and are made of Chardonnay, White Grenache, Macabeo, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Parellada, and Xarel·lo. The authorized red varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, 'Hairy' Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Red Picapoll, Syrah and Tempranillo.
• Happy International Albariño Days!

August 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.

• Louis François, Prince of Conti died in 1776.  He purchased the Burgundy vineyard, La Romanée in 1760.  It has been known as Romanée-Conti ever since.
• In 1817, Thomas Jefferson, writing from Monticello wrote about the purchase of wine from Mr. Walltone.
• The Guardia Sanframondi or Guardiolo DOC was established in 1993.  The wines are made of Malvasia Bianca di Candia and Sangiovese
• Spain's Yecla DO was created in 2002.  Grapes allowed to be used in this region include: Airen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Garnacha tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Macabeo, Malvasia, Merlot, Merseguera, Monastrell, Syrah and Tempranillo.
• Happy International Albariño Days!

August 1st - 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.

• Eleanor of Aquitaine became Queen of France in 1137.  Her dowry included Aquitaine including the vineyards or Bordeaux, which remained hers through the marriage and afterwards.
• Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland died in 1714.  A political opponent once wrote of a statue of her, “it was fitting she was depicted with her rump to the church, gazing longingly into a wineshop”.
• Colorado was admitted to the union in 1876.  It is home to  the Grand Valley and West Elks viticultural areas.
• Germany's Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) is renamed Prädikatswein in 2007.
• There is an old French saying “S’il pleut le jour de la Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens, la vinée réduit du tiers,” or approximately “If it rains on the Festival of the Liberation of Saint Peter, the wine will be reduced by a third”.

July 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.

• Daniel Defoe was pillories for the crime of seditious libel in 1703, but was pelted with flowers.  He often supported himself by working as a merchant of wine, hosiery and woolen goods.
• The Bourgueil AOC was created in 1937.  The area is located in the Loire and uses the Cabernet Franc grape.
• The Aversa DOC was created in 1993.  The wine is made in Campania about 3 miles north of Naples an is made from Asprinio grape.
• The Rosso Orvietano DOC was established in 1998.  This red wine can be made from many red grape varietals so long as they contain at least 70% of Aleatico, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sangiovese.
• Spain's Rueda DO was created in 2002.  These wines come from 72 communities in Castile and Leon and made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Verdejo and Viura.
• It is the feast of St. Germain d’Auxerre. There is a French saying, “S’il pleut à la Saint-Germain, c’est comme s’il pleuvait du vin”or (more or less) “Rain on Saint Germain’s day is like it’s raining wine”.

July 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.

• Acte XII of the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1619, requires all landowners to plant grape vines for every acre of property.
• The Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO), a branch of the French Ministry of Agriculture, was created in 1935 to manage the administration of the process for wines.
• California's North Yuba AVA was designated in 1985.
• It is the feast day of Saints Abdon and Sennen who are the patron saints of coopers.

July 29th - 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.

• James VI was crowned King of Scotland in 1567.  Later in his reign James suffered from arthritis, gout and kidney stones and was described as having urine, “dark red color of Alicante wine”. (That ain’t right)
• Nicole-Barbe Ponsardin Cliquot, the Veuve Cliquot, died in 1866
• Vincent van Gogh died in 1890.  He was famous for painting still life like Still Life Still life with Bottle, Two Glasses, Cheese and Bread.
• Opening of the 1999 Fête des Vignerons (Winegrowers Festival) in Vevey, Switzerland.  The next fete will be in 2019.

July 28th - 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.

• Giovanni della Casa, a Florentine poet and writer on etiquette was born in 1503.  His book, Galateo, includes the advice to Never should one sniff someone else’s wine, for instance, as something might fall out of one’s nose; even though this is unlikely, Della Casa notes, one should not take such risks.
• The Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser of Hobart Town in 1826 W.A. Bethune lists for sales, English soap, French sugar, Tenerife wine in pipes and hogsheads, Liverpool salt and Blue Claith Brandy, Gin and Bronte Madeira.
• Devo member, Jerry Casale was born in 1948.  He has taught wine tasting and is currently owner of The 50 by 50 winery in Napa, California.
• The oldest bottle of Veuve Cliquot was found at Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull. The bottle was from 1893 and was locked in a sideboard for 150 years.
• The French have a saying. « Si le jour de Saint-Samson, le pinson boit au buisson, tu peux, bon vigneron, défoncer ton poinçon (ou l’amour peut chanter sa chanson, le vin sera bon). » or, “If on the day of St. Samson, a finch drinks in the bush, you can, good winemaker, smash you punch (if the love can sing his song, the wine will be good)”.

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.

• Frances Stewart Howard, Duchess of Richmond was born in 1578.  After being orphaned at 14, she was married off to the son of a rich wine merchant, alderman and patron of the the Virginia Company.  
• 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.
• Olympian Peggy Fleming was born in 1948. She was owner of Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery with her husband.  The winery closed in 2012.

July 26th - 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.

• Nikephoros I of the Byzantine Empire was killed in 811 at the battle of Pliska.  His skull was turned into a wine cup for his vanquisher. 
• Mary Frith, also known as Moll Cutpurse died in 1659.  She was once required to do penance for her “evil living” at St. Paul’s Cross and she was observed as being very penitent weeping bitterly.  However, it was also reported that she ‘maudlin drunk’ having drunk  most of a bottle of sack (sherry).
• The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal dated 1831 follows the case of a gentleman with smallpox.  He was treated with calamine, bark, wine, brandy, potash, senna and rhubarb.  The patient survived.
• Spain's Navarra DO was created in 1975.