May 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.

  • Alfonso VI King of León took Toledo back from the Moors in 1085.  This allowed wine to be produced in this region again. (Not that it wasn’t tolerated in some corners) 
  • Oscar Wilde was convicted of “committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons” in 1895.  Five years later as he was drinking Champagne on his death bed he is quoted as saying, “Alas, I am dying beyond my means”.
  • The French have a saying, « Quand la saint Urbain est passée, le vigneron est rassuré. » or, "When Saint Urbain’s Day is past, the winemaker is reassured.”
  • Happy National Wine Day!