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.
Grapes are one of the most popular fruits from around the world. National Grape Day on May 27 celebrates the juicy and flavorful varieties available for snacking, sharing, and even drinking.
Archeologists say grapes have been around for 130 million years. In fact, they are one of the oldest plants on earth. Early records indicate grapes were originally cultivated 6,000 to 7,000 years ago for trading in western Asia, including Egypt, Iran, Israel and Cyprus. Interestingly, grapes were also found in tombs during the pre-Christ era. Today, there are nearly 10,000 known varieties of grapes from around the world, with about 1,300 specific varieties found in vineyards for making wine.
5 Common Table Grapes
Concord grapes are a purple grape with a sugary taste. They have large seeds and are best when used in candy, pies, jellies, and juice.
Crimson Seedless is a reddish-green grape most commonly found in grocery stores. This grape is firm and has a subtle sweetness with a hint of tartness.
Sultana grapes, or Thompson Seedless grapes, are possibly the oldest grape available today. This greenish/white grape is a smaller table grape with a sweet, juicy flavor.
Niagara grapes, or white Concord grapes, are a light green grape that has a sweet, lemony flavor. Niagara grapes are great for making white grape juice.
Flame Seedless grapes is a popular table grape and purchased often because of availability. The grape is a purple-reddish color and is a hybrid of a Thompson Seedless and the Cardinal grape.
Vino
According to archeological finds, the art of winemaking goes back about 6,000 to 7,000 BCE after discovering wine production in the Georgia region. However, many archeologists believe wine was made long before this time. Interestingly, the winemaking discovery has allowed scientists to analyze the grapes discovered by archeologists to determine the evolution and histories of grapes.
What grapes make good wine? It is important to understand wine grapes are smaller and sweeter than grapes we buy in the grocery store. Though table grapes and wine grapes are very similar, wine grapes require specialized care when growing because of their use.
Wine grapes grow all over the world. In fact, specific regions produce the best grapes for wine. However, some people are unaware the name of wine actually reflects the name of the grape.
The flavor of wine is depends on the region the grapes grow. Vine management during the growing season requires skill and dedication to ensure the harvest season is a successful one. Picking grapes at the exact ripeness is important to deliver a delicious wine product.
Toasting wine glasses started in antiquated Rome while adding toast to wine to assist with limiting the sharpness of wine.
In old Greece the host of a party would drink the primary glass of wine to demonstrate to visitors the wine was not poison. This became known as toasting somebody’s wellbeing.
The most established cocktail was found in China around 7,000 BC, where a beverage was produced using matured grapes, honey, and rice.
Wine misrepresentation is an old regulation beginning in Mesopotamia and is known as The Code of Hammurabi.
Christianity in old Rome started involving wine as a strict custom to advance the utilization of wine to assist the wine business with thriving.
A bottle of wine goes a long way to enhancing the flavor of a meal. It also loosens the tongue and improving conversations. While most of us don’t need an excuse to open a bottle of our favorite wine, it doesn’t hurt to celebrate it when we do! There are many ways to celebrate National Grape Day, here are a few more ways to celebrate:
Add grapes to your green salad for additional flavor.
Make a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich.
Add sliced grapes to your chicken salad.
Attend a wine tasting to learn about the different varieties of wine.
Visit a winery to learn and sample wine.
Participate in a wine exchange with a group of friends.
Share your grape celebrations on social media using #NationalGrapeDay
On May 25th each year, wine lovers everywhere pour a glass of their favorite wine to celebrate National Wine Day. Whether it is Red or White, the sound of glassing “clinking” will be heard around the world today.
Made from fermented grapes or other fruits, wine is an alcoholic beverage. During the fermentation processes, yeast consumes the sugars in the grapes converting it into alcohol. Different grapes produce different wines. Winemakers will combine different wines to create more complex flavors. Wines made from fruit or honey are often named according to the variety of fruit used.
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.
Winemakers produce white wines from grapes with light yellow-green skins or light red skins. However, it’s not the color of the grapes that give the wine its color. It’s the tannins in the grape skins that color wine red and also the flavor. White wines are generally sweeter than red wines and are best served chilled. Most red wines are served at room temperature. However, a sweet red should also be chilled for the best flavor.
Reminisce with family and friends over a glass of wine. Enjoy wine with a favorite meal. And just a little tip, in a couple of days we celebrate National Coq Au Vin Day which includes red wine as an ingredient. Pick up an extra bottle to prepare. Post photos using #NationalWineDay on social media.
On the second Saturday in November, Wine Tourism Day features wineries and wine-related events across the globe. It is also a day that highlights the economic impact of wine tourism.
Wine is big business. In the United States alone, people spend over 17 billion dollars on wine tourism. The wine industry in America brings 43 million visitors to over 10,000 wine producers all over the country. Wine is so popular that all 50 states have winery facilities. On a global scale, wine tourism accounts for more than 50 billion euros of direct revenue to the world economy. That equals about 57 billion U.S. dollars.
Dedicated wine tourists travel to wineries and vineyards all over the world. The most popular countries for wine tourism include France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United States, Australia, and Argentina.
Some of the world’s best vineyards for wine tourism include:
Vik in the Cachapoal Valley, Chile
Antinori, Italy
Quinta do Crasto, Portugal
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, France
Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, California
Bodega Garzon, Uruguay
Zuccardi in the Uco Valley, Artentina
But besides drinking wine, what exactly do wine tourists do? Some people enjoy learning about the wine-making process. Others like to spend the day cycling on wine roads through the vineyard. Wine tourists also enjoy the scenery and learn about different cultures.
WINE TOURISM DAY HISTORY
In 2009, the European Network of Wine Cities organized the first European Day of Wine Tourism. Since other countries began to join the movement, the event became known as Wine Tourism Day.
On Wine Tourism Day, wineries and vineyards around the world promote the wine they make and offer special tours. Many liquor stores offer discounts on bottles of wine. Wine tasting events, wine-making demonstrations, and educational workshops are also popular events on this day. To participate:
Research various vineyards around the world and also in your state.
Go out with friends for a glass of wine.
Plan a future trip to a vineyard in another country.
While February 18 is observed annually as National Drink Wine Day, it would be a shame to celebrate only one day a year. Perhaps this day is just a reminder to drink wine.
Wine does have its benefits after all. Moderate drinkers of wine have lower risks of liver disease, type II diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, heart attack and stroke. It also can reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the good (HDL).
Drinking wine includes other benefits as well. When paired with the right meal, it enhances the flavors of spices, fruits, and sauces. A glass of wine helps relax us. Learning about wine keeps our minds sharp, too. Since the fruits, regions and the making of wine have such a complex story, those who delve into find themselves traveling to learn more.
It can help if you’re an Outlander fan you’ve seen the season 8 premier. Maybe more than once, a glass of wine can help you cope with the wait till the next episode. If you find that the wine is not enough, Sam might suggest Sassanach Whiskey.
Since February 18th is also National Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day, may we suggest a fresh, fruity white wine pairing the celebrations together?
With so many wine varieties, a wine tasting would be a perfect way to celebrate. Visit a vineyard or host one of your own. Raise a toast to your favorite wine and let us know which one it is. Always drink responsibly and try a new wine. Use #NationalDrinkWineDay to post to social media.
