July 24th - 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.

  • Samuel Pepys met and went out with the children Vice Admiral Sir George Carteret and were out so late they were unable to get a ferry boat back to the house, so they slept in a coach on the Isle of Dogs until one was available,  feasted on wine and snacks then headed home.
  • The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction in 1824 reported on the Palace of the King of the Sandwich Islands, quoting Goldsmith in his Traveller 
But where to find that happiest spot below, 
who can direct, when all pretend to know? 
The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone 
Boldly proclaims that happiest spot his own:  
Extols the treasures of his stormy seas, 
And his long nights of revelry and ease.  
The naked negro, panting at the line, 
Boasts of his golden sands and palmy wine, - 
Basks in the glare, or stems the tepid wave, 
And thanks his gods for all the good they gave.
— Oliver Goldsmith
  • Alphonse Mucha, a Czech painter of the Art Nouveau period was born in  1860. He is known for advertising illustrations for many products including Moet & Chandon, Vins des Incas, F. Champenois, Benedictine, Ruinart, Heidsieck, 
  • President McKinley entered into a treaty with the King of Portugal to reduce tariffs on wine in 1897.