Uncorked! Wine, Objects & Tradition

On view April 28, 2012–January 6, 2013

Liquor chest, various case bottles, tray, and wineglasses. Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont. 1959.2778 A-J.

Champagne Charlie, Downs Collection Col. 240, 73x171.

Join us in celebrating this delightful beverage with a new exhibition created to explore the stunning range of objects associated with the history of wine drinking, especially in Britain and America. The exhibition will share a fascinating and incredibly broad range of wine-related materials—from wineglasses and cellarettes to song sheets and paintings—and, in total, will include more than 300 objects.

Uncorked! begins with classical references by providing an insightful look into Greek and Roman wine vessels as inspirations for many later objects and ornamental motifs. The exhibition then explores the business of marketing wine, bottles, glasses, and other objects and considers some “tricks of the trade” by which unscrupulous merchants increased profit margins.

The largest portion of the exhibition focuses on consumption and equipage and considers vessels associated with different types of wine, settings where beverages were consumed, and the role wine played in social life. Uncorked! also delves into the politics, patriotism, and taxes associated with wine. The religion and temperance sections encompass both serious and, to modern eyes, humorous issues relating to such topics.

A booklet of exhibition highlights is available as well as an online version of the complete show. Learn more in the County Lines Magazine article written by Senior Curator Leslie B. Grigsby and in related blog posts on Winterthur Unreserved, the museum and library blog.

Join Winterthur and raise a glass in toast to this fascinating exhibition!

Related Events

In addition to the intriguing insights and treasures of Uncorked!, programming will embrace regional wineries and include lectures, wine tastings, and more.

• See the exhibition prior to the public opening at our Member Preview Day on April 27 from 12:00–7:00 pm. Guided gallery walks are offered at 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 pm. Members are free and Member guests are admitted with a guest pass.

• Enjoy guided gallery walks of the exhibition every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm.
   
• Join us for a series of lunchtime lectures featuring a variety of curators, wine connoisseurs, collectors, and historians.
   
• Attend the Winterthur Ceramics Conference: Wining, Dining & Ceramics!, April 26–27

• Gain new insight into wining and dining in early America in our Members-Only tour by exploring selected rooms and areas of the house, some of which are not generally available to the public.
   
• Join us one Friday evening each month beginning in June for a featured wine-tasting event at Winterthur.

Uncorked! Slide Show

View some of the unique objects in this exhibition.

A Taste of History

View a segment from the PBS series A Taste of History for a discussion between host chef Walter Staib of City Tavern and Winterthur curator Leslie Grigsby on puzzle jugs as drinking vessels.

Major funding for Uncorked! provided by

With support from

Bouchaine Vineyards
Gerret & Tatiana Copeland, Proprietors

Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP     Wente Family Estates

Dixie and David De Luca; Judy and John Herdeg; Kristin and Frank Hohmann; Laurel Riegel; Coleman and Susan Townsend; Linda Wiseman  

Adelphi Paper Hangings, LLC      

The exhibition will be hosted in the Graves & West Galleries. All exhibitions are included with admission and are free to Winterthur Members.
 

Image at top of the page: print of A Midnight Modern Conversation, made by William Hogarth, London, England, 1733. Gift of Gordon Rust. 1975.0219.