December 23, 1925: Bryce Rankine was born on this day in Murray Bridge, South Australia. He was an internationally-recognized wine scientist and academic leader. As head of the School of Oenology and Viticulture at Roseworthy Agricultural Institute in South Australia, he transformed viticulture and oenology education from a certificate to a bachelor’s degree program and later added a graduate diploma. His studies included ethanol synthesis, potassium bitartrate deposition in wine, wine treatment with ion-exchange resins, and wine metal content. Over 250 papers were published as a result of his work. He was the early researcher at AWRI.

December 23, 2013: Rongzi Winery Wine gained its geographical indications (GI) protection products on this day. Chateau Rongzi is located in Shanxi, in the center of China, on the magnificent and massive Loess Plateau. This was the early birthplace of Chinese civilization and is where Rongzi Winery was established.

December 23, 2019: In the Philippines, deadly coconut wine during Christmas festivities claimed at least 11 lives. At least 11 people died after drinking locally produced coconut wine amid Christmas celebrations, and hundreds more were being hospitalized for possible methanol poisoning, as reported by the government Philippine News Agency. In the provinces of Laguna and Quezon on Luzon, the country’s largest island, 300 people who had ingested the generic brand of coconut wine were hospitalized with poisoning symptoms such as stomach discomfort, dizziness, and vomiting. In the town of Rizal, Laguna, 265 people were admitted to hospitals, according to a Department of Health press release.

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