On August 28th, National Red Wine Day ushers in the flavors of fall. As the grapes ripen and signal a time for warmer sips, wine drinkers know reds mean tailgating and spicy foods.
Throughout the year, wine days afford us the opportunity to taste and learn about the differences between wines. Earlier this month National Prosecco Day gave us the last bubbly rays of summer. Now we savor the best of the season with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir, Port, and Syrah.
Red wine varietals produce deep ruby reds as well as subtle ambers and browns. Their beautiful colors hint at the coming change in the season. With that, we can look for delicious menu changes, too. Besides, what better way to enjoy a great bottle of wine than by pairing it with excellent company and food. Restaurants around the country will be happy to oblige throughout the celebration. Be sure to check out the latest menus from appetizers to desserts.
Don’t fear the red, either. Even if you prefer a sweeter wine, there’s a red for you. Also, blends offer a way to enjoy the best of both wine worlds. And don’t fret. Red, red wine pairs well with salad, steak, dessert and so much more.
If you’re hesitant, attend a wine tasting. There you will learn more each time and find the wine that fits not only your palate but your cooking style, too.
Pour a glass or two of delicious red wine. Not sure what kind to try? Ask sommelier and enjoy a wine tasting with friends. Use #NationalRedWineDay to share your favorites.
NATIONAL RED WINE DAY HISTORY
In 2014, Jace Shoemaker-Galloway created National Red Wine Day.
August 27 is National Peach Day, celebrate one of summertime’s most scrumptious fruits known as the peach! August is prime peach season in the U.S. and we want everyone to enjoy a few peaches, plus remember the hardworking peach growers who provide us with this delicious fruit.
Summertime brings plenty of opportunity to enjoy fresh fruits, especially a flavorful, juicy peach. Local farmers’ markets and orchids are busy picking peaches to deliver to anxious peach lovers. Whether you enjoy a peach by itself or use your peaches for canning and baking, National Peach Day is here to encourage you to celebrate this wonderful food holiday.
Brief History of Peaches in the U.S.
The history of the peach begins in China and Central Asia dating back 4,000 years. However, peaches were not just a delicious food, they were also an expensive and highly traded commodity along the ancient Silk Road in Asia. The Silk Road is one of the most important trade routes in history that allowed for goods to be transported between East and West Asia. Transporting peaches on the Silk Road led to introducing the fruit to other parts of the country, and eventually the world.
Peaches made their way to the U.S. some time during the 17th century. Settlers from Europe and Spain began cultivating peaches upon arrival. However, it’s uncertain who receives credit for introducing them first. Spanish explorers and missionaries were known to bring peach pits to Florida and Southwest and planting them. English settlers began cultivating peaches in Virginia around the same time. It’s possible both Spanish and English settlers receive equal credit because of the location they landed and began growing peaches.
Production of peaches happens along the south eastern and southern parts of the country. Peach farmers work to provide peach varieties that grow well in different parts of the U.S. Peach farming requires dedication, knowledge, and in-depth management to maintain healthy peach orchids. However, peach farmers are passionate about their work to provide delicious peaches to consumers. They work endless hours growing, managing, and harvesting peaches to transport to markets, grocery stores, and other destinations. Thanks to these hardworking people, we are able to use peaches in dishes, desserts, sauces, and preservatives daily.
Did you know?
In Chinese culture, peaches are a symbol of immortality and longevity.
6 FAVORITE PEACH VARIETIES
Elberta peaches are one of the most popular peaches available. They are juicy and have a sweet, yet tart flavor. Some people say Elberta peaches are the best peaches for canning.
White peaches are pale with creamy skin sweet flesh. They have a strong floral aroma and are often enjoyed in desserts and salads.
Yellow peaches come in shades of orange and yellow and have a classic peach flavor. You can frequently find these peaches grocery stores.
Clingstone peaches come in different sizes and colors. These peaches are a more common peach for making preservatives.
Freestone peaches a popular peach for fresh eating because of their juicy flavor.
Georgia Belle peaches are an early-season peach with a yellowish-red skin and sweet flavor. This peach is normally the first summer peach.
Peaches offer several health benefits. They are low in calories and are a good source of vitamins, including vitamins A and C. They contain beta-carotene and flavonoids, which are beneficial for fighting heart disease and anti-inflammatory disease. Peaches also promote healthy skin and boost the immune system, too. In fact, peaches contain high amounts of antioxidants to help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Best of all, eating peaches is twice as good knowing you are promoting good overall health every time you take a bite!
International Cabernet Day is celebrated on the Thursday before U.S. Labor Day, and this year it falls on August 27th. It is a special day that is dedicated to one of the world’s most popular wines — Cabernet.
There are two styles of Cabernet. There is Cabernet Franc, a heritage grape from Bordeaux that is grown throughout the world, and Cabernet Sauvignon, a cross between Cabernet Franc and the white Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Cabernet, being one of the world’s most popular red wine grape varieties, is grown in every major wine-producing region in the world.
The idea for the International Cabernet Day came in 2010, when the NoCal and Twitter user, Rick Bakas, got a bunch of Napa Wineries together. Although it was initially started as a marketing tool, it quickly turned into a holiday.
Cabernet Sauvignon was developed by accident in the 17th century when a red Cabernet Franc grape plant bred with a white Sauvignon Blan grape plant in a French vineyard. Cabernet has been around for hundreds of years, but it is still pretty young compared to other wine varietals. Some people argue that it is a half-sibling to Merlot. So, if you have ever had trouble differentiating between a glass of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, don’t feel bad! They are closely related and it is very difficult to tell the difference.
One surprising and sweet thing about Cabernet Sauvignon is that everybody loves it. Cabernet is a timeless classic. There is also a reason why Cabernet tastes great with anything on any occasion. Researchers studying the effects of taste and food on the tongue found that the tannins in Cabernet act as ‘scrapers’ for fats and proteins that collect on the tongue from the food you eat. So, any fatty and protein-rich food you consume with wine will be enhanced in taste with Cabernet.
Today, France is the largest producer of Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. With a whopping 126,000 acres of Cabernet grown in France, it is still the fourth most planted grape in the country.
What is the difference between Cabernet and red wine? Red wines get their color and much of their texture and flavor from the grape skins. The thicker skins of Cabernet create a rich, concentrated, purple-black, full-bodied wine that does best in warm climates.
What is the difference between Merlot and Cabernet? The main difference between Merlot and Cabernet is the levels of tannins and acidity. Merlot is typically in the middle for both tannins and acidity, whereas Cabernet is very high in both.
Is there a difference between Cabernet and Cabernet Sauvignon? Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as just Cab, Cabernet, Cab Sauv, and many other names. One thing you need to know is that there is no grape called Cabernet.
INTERNATIONAL CABERNET DAY ACTIVITIES
Appreciate itThe best thing you can do to celebrate International Cabernet Day is by appreciating fine wine. Whether you like Cabernet or any other varieties of wine, appreciate it and enjoy the goodness.
Taste itIf you are looking for a sign to taste Cabernet and haven’t had this kind of wine before, today is the perfect day for first introductions. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues and make it a party.
Share itEven if you’re not much of a drinker, you can give Cabernet a try anyway. It is considered one of the tastiest wines by many. So, if you have any stories like these, share them on social media.
It’s the most planted wine grapeCabernet is the most planted wine grape in the world. It involves heavy cash. Wineries in Napa Valley pay more for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Stock market Cabernet Sauvignon wines are tracked and traded like stocks. It took over China too. Cabernet is one of the most important varieties in China too. People notice it a lot. Cabernet is the most reviewed red wine variety in the Wine Spectator’s database.
It’s a day of appreciationInternational Cabernet Day is a much-needed day that gives us all the time in the world to appreciate and honor one of the greatest wine varieties in the world. Try it today if you get a chance!
People love this wine! Its bold fruit flavors and smooth tannins are all brought together in a single sip and give the taster an exquisite experience.
It’s a time to unwind, International Cabernet Day is an opportunity to break away from the stress and all other hustles of the world to take some time for ourselves and enjoy life a little with a glass of wine. Who can say no to that?
Share your favorite brands and experiences on social media #InternationalCabernetDay.
Each year on August 25th, people across the United States observe National Whiskey Sour Day.
Traditionally garnished with half an orange and a maraschino cherry, a whiskey sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice and sugar. Whiskey sours are shaken then either served straight or over ice.
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain
An alternative to the traditional whiskey sour is the Boston sour which is made by adding a dash of egg white to the recipe. Another variation is the Ward 8. This beverage has a base of either Bourbon or rye whiskey with both lemon and orange juices and grenadine syrup added for sweetness.
The first mention of a whiskey sour was in an 1870 Wisconsin newspaper.
After opening, a bottle of whiskey will remain good for five years.
An unopened bottle of whiskey can be kept for over 100 years and will still be fit to drink.
Both “Whisky” and “Whiskey” spellings are correct. Whisky is specific to Scotch Whisky, and Whiskey is Irish.
Whiskey is the official state beverage of Alabama.
Legend has it that Jack Daniels ran away at the age of 6 and learned to make whiskey from a Lutheran minister.
Have a whiskey sour with a friend this evening. While you enjoy your cocktail, explore the history of whiskey, its production, and trade. The documentaries Straight Upand Scotch: The Golden Dram will give you a look inside both Bourbon and Scotch.
(Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.) Use #NationalWhiskeySourDay to post on social media.
Let go of resentment, grudges, anger, and indignation. August 25th is Kiss and Make Up Day. This unofficial holiday encourages people to make up and reconcile with anyone they are estranged with – at work, school, or in their family.
Conflicts happen in life. Disagreements are a big part of our relationships with others. Best friends, friends, families, and co-workers, may all experience them.
Kiss and make up is an English language idiom that means to forgive someone and be friends again with them.
A Second Chance
Kiss and Make Up Day provides a second chance – it is a day to set aside all difference and let people in our lives know that despite all the quarrels and the disagreements, they mean a lot to us.
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