May 14

May 14, 1643: Louis XIV became King of France. Born on September 5, 1638, he took the throne at age four and went on to reign for 72 years. During his time, Louis XIV became the most notable brand ambassador for champagne. Under his doctor, Antoine d’Aquin’s advice, he drank champagne in all his meals for most of his life until a new doctor prescribed a Burgundy cure in his later years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was described as the king of wines. His house, the House of Bourbon, appreciated champagne. His great-grandson, Louis Duke of Anjou (Louis XV), loved champagne produced by Claude Moet. Moet founded the champagne house that later became Moet & Chandon. For more information, see this article by Sophie McCabe.

May 14, 2000: Denis Dubourdieu from Bordeaux discovered various thiols as fragrance-defining chemicals in select white grape types and established that yeast was responsible for their release from their non-volatile grape-derived antecedents. The discovery was impactful in the fragrance industry.

May 14, 2017: Magic City Wine Fest was established. Attendees can experience the best wine and beer from various parts of the world. Meals are served from some of the top restaurants in the city at this wine and cuisine festival, and you can listen to local musicians perform as well.

For more dates in wine history, click here.

Header image: Als33120 — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).