Mark your Calendars for the Upcoming Annual Wine Days!

Did you know there are more than 50 dedicated days and months to celebrate wine. Not that we exactly need designated dates to drink wine, but this makes it feel more official and acceptable, right? Mark your calendars for the following dates.

January

The month of January is a bit sparse, maybe because many practice a dry January. However, who doesn’t need a little “hair of the dog” after an overindulgent NYE, and another day to pop open a bottle of bubbles, as if you didn’t have enough over the holidays!

• 1: National Bloody Mary Day (to cure those hangovers!)
• 10: Champagne and French Fry Day

February

Don’t you just love that Valentine’s Day offers a reason to pop open a great bottle, even if you aren’t a believer in the holiday!

• 1: International Furmint Day (Furmint is the most widely grape grown in the Tokaj wine region in Hungary)
• 14: Wine Lover’s Day
• 16: International Syrah Day
• 18: Global Drink Wine Day
• Last Saturday: Open that Bottle Night

March

March is short on wine holidays, however, Washington state has dedicated the entire month of March to celebrate wines from its various regions. So, technically, every day of March could be a wine holiday!

• 3: Mulled Wine Day (not sure why this isn’t during the holidays, but so be it)
• 13: International Riesling Day
• 21: World Vermouth Day

April

If you haven’t tried wine from British Columbia, April is a great time to do so. BC has spoken for the entire month! And, there are some other unique varietals to add to your menu this month.

• 14: Tannat Day
• 17: Malbec World Day
• Last Friday: International Viognier Day

May

So, both Oregon and Finger Lakes (upstate New York area) have claimed the month of May. As an Oregon Chardonnay fan, I definitely foresee a Willamette Valley Chardonnay on my table on May 26.

• First Friday: International Sauvignon Blanc Day
• 9: World Moscato Day
• 17: National Pinot Grigio Day
• Thursday before Memorial Day: International Chardonnay Day
• 24: Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris
• 25: National Wine Day

June

June is an adventurous month with wines heralding from other countries and continents. Start the month wherever your cheese of choice originates. Travel on to France (or South Africa) with a Chenin Blanc and then make a quick hop to Spain for a vibrant verdejo. The month concludes in Italy with Lambrusco, a semi-sparkling, frizzante, style red.

• 3: International Sommelier Day
• 4: National Cheese Day
• 2nd Saturday: International Rosé Day
• 8: Drink Chenin Blanc Day
• 2nd Thursday: World Verdejo Day
• 21: World Lambrusco Day

July

July offers another opportunity to pair wine and cheese, maybe because it’s just such a delectable combination. I also heard somewhere that the first week of July is dedicated to sparkling wine. Maybe it’s to commemorate sparkling fireworks that blaze the sky on July 4. Who knows. Regardless, I’ll take any excuse to open up some bubbly!

• 12: International Cava Day
• 25: National Wine and Cheese Day
• 4th Thursday: Shiraz Day

August

Washington state has designated yet another month to celebrate its wine. So whatever you didn’t get to in March, calendar it for the month of August. Plus, there are lots of others to put on your list.

• 1: International Albariño Day
• 4: National White Wine Day
• 13: National Prosecco Day
• 18: International Pinot Noir Day
• 28: National Red Wine Day
• Thursday before Labor Day: National Cabernet Day

September

It just feels right that the month that ushers in Fall also brings us the opportunity to open some juicy reds.

• 1st Friday of September: National Chianti Day
• Sept 10: National Port Wine Day
• 3rd Friday of September: International Grenache Day

October

Not a lot is happening on the wine front in October, with the exception of a couple of outliers. But with the football season in full force, sprinkle in some tailgating libations throughout the month like frothy beers and mixed drinks.

• 2nd Saturday: International Pinotage Day
• 6: National Orange Wine Day
• 4th Friday: National Champagne Day
• Last Thursday: Carignan Day
• 24: World Champagne Day

November

Oh, so many days of wine to enjoy in November! And, you can be a virtual world traveler, too. You can relish Greece on the first day of the month, Spain on the 10th, France on the 17th and Chile on the 24th!

• 1: International Xinomavro Day
• 7: International Merlot Day
• 2nd Thursday: International Tempranillo Day
• 3rd Wednesday: National Zinfandel Day
• 3rd Thursday: Beaujolais Nouveau Day
• 24: World Carménère Day

December

As the year comes to a close, it’s fitting that the last day of the month would be another day of bubbles.

• 4: Cabernet Franc Day
• 5: Prohibition Repeal Day
• 20: Sangria Day
• 31: National Champagne Day