December 20th - This Date in Wine History

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A_Woman_and_Two_Men_in_an_Arbor_MET_DP143213_Peter de Hooch.jpg

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.

  • Pieter de Hooch, a Dutch painter was born in 1629.  He is known for “A Woman Drinking with Two Men” and “A Woman and Two Men in an Arbor”.
  • The California Agricultural Experiment Station reports that in 1887, the Mataro (Carignan) grapes from Margherita Vineyard in Fresno had produced wine that was  “decidedly acutefied”.  The wine was racked and pasteurized the next day.
  • Wine of Youth, a silent comedy-drama directed by King Vidor and released by MGM was released in 1924.
  • The Régnié AOC was created in 1988.
  • California's Capay Valley AVA was designated in 2002.
  • Happy Sangria Day!