December 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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Festivus meatloaf, served on lettuce.

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.