National Drink Wine Day
Raise your glass to a delicious beverage that pairs well with a romantic dinner or a fun night out with friends!
Does anybody really need an excuse to open a bottle of their favorite red (or white) at the end of a long and stressful day? Absolutely not! Still, that shouldn’t stand in the way of celebrating National Drink Wine Day.
From connoisseurs of wines from around the globe to casual fans that enjoy the odd glass at the restaurant or on an evening spent with friends, National Drink Wine Day is an undoubted highlight in the calendar.
Cheers!
How to Celebrate National Drink Wine Day
Ernest Hemingway said: “wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range of enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
So, it would be very ignorant to let National Drink Wine Day pass without celebrating it in style! Take a look at a few ideas for celebrating:
Drink a Glass of Wine
Wine is a drink enjoyed (in moderation) by millions on a daily basis. Many others drink a few glasses on the weekend or once per month on a night out or a trip to the local bar.
Regardless of the daily relationship with wine, National Drink Wine Day is a time to do something a little special. Put the standard budget white or red away, and opt for a zesty Bordeaux or luxurious Pinot Grigio. Special occasions deserve a special drink.
Spend Time with Friends
The celebrations aren’t designed for getting intoxicated beyond social levels. It’s a time to be spent with friends, which is why a dinner party is the perfect way to enjoy great wine and even better conversation.
Drink Wine with Your Partner
Alternatively, couples can tap into the aphrodisiac properties with a night in by themselves.
Either way, the right choice of wine will enhance the evening’s entertainment while also promoting improved health and the other many rewarding features offered by the beverage. What more could anyone ask for?
Toast the Gods
Finally, while delighting the taste buds with a few wines, participants can relax in the knowledge that they have pleased the gods.
Or at least Dionysus (Bacchus in Roman mythology), the god of merrymaking, wine, theatre, and ecstasy. Even for those without religious backgrounds, that sounds like the right type of deity.
Learn About National Drink Wine Day
Unsurprisingly, National Drink Wine Day is a day to celebrate wine, which includes drinking some wine.
However, its purpose isn’t to result in millions of people staggering around bars after losing self-control or to leave participants facing the mother of all hangovers on National Drink Wine Day +1. Wine should be enjoyed responsibly on this day as with any day throughout the year!
The annual event is a time to reflect on the many benefits of wine, as well as the role it has played in human history and society.
The social aspects are particularly pertinent on this day, which should be enjoyed with friends and family. After all, there’s nothing quite like sipping a glass of the good stuff while sharing fun and entertainment with the people that matter most.
For many, this is not only a wine day — it’s a wine AND dine day! However, wine (especially red wine) is also widely praised as an aphrodisiac. So, the dining part is far from essential.
In addition to the stimulating properties, participants of the day’s merriment can embrace other great features such as enhancing social events, relaxing the mind, reducing the risk of heart disease, and providing the perfect accompaniment to various dishes.
Oh, and there’s also the fact it leaves the taste buds dancing with joy.
Wine is one of life’s little luxuries that should be enjoyed far more regularly than once per year. Nonetheless, National Drink Wine Day is that special moment where millions can raise a glass to the benefits it brings while also paying homage to the winemakers of previous generations.
History of National Drink Wine Day
National Drink Wine Day was founded in 2007 by Todd McCalla, whose hope was to spread the love about the simple act of enjoying a glass of wine.
The history of wine itself can be dated back over 8,000 years to winemakers in the Eurasian region that is now Georgia.
The alcoholic beverage has played a major part in society ever since and has been drunk in all four corners of the globe for many generations.
Iranians, Italians, and Europeans in the Balkans all have rich histories of wine production that date back to ancient times while China created very similar alcoholic beverages as early as 7,000BC.
Wine has consequently been celebrated by fans for centuries, commonly enjoyed as part of a meal or to enhance social events. In fact, the average adult consumes 45.6 gallons of the stuff every year – which works out at 20 miles per gallon, given that the average person walks 900 miles per year.
In today’s world, nearly 20 million acres of the earth’s surface are dedicated to grape farming for wine fermentation.
There are literally thousands of brands and variants covering red wines, white wines, sparkling wines, and rose wines, while mead, fruit wine, and dessert wine is readily available to millions. Moreover, the experience of enjoying wine is closely linked to human history.
For example, tapping glasses to say “cheers” harks back to the Ancient Romans – that’ll come as a shock to fans of Sam Malone, Diane Chambers, and the rest of the fictional gang in Boston, Massachusetts.
National Drink Wine Day is a far more contemporary addition but is now in its second decade.
It provides a formal and organized time to celebrate everything that is to be loved about the alcoholic beverage, such as reducing the threat of liver disease, type II diabetes, stroke, some cancers, and being stuck at the bar with someone that’ll bore you to tears.
Awareness of the event has increased at a fairly rapid rate with the annual event reaching new locations and a greater variety of demographics by the year. In truth, it’s only natural given the universal appeal of the beverage.
Whether red or white (it should definitely be red!), National Drink Wine Day is not an event to be missed.
National Drink Wine Day Timeline
6000 BC
Earliest known record of wine in history
Villagers in the area that is modern day Georgia, just south of Tbilisi, grapes are believed to be used for winemaking.[1]
1200 BC
Traveling Phoenecians begin introducing wine
Across the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa regions, traders and travellers slowly begin to introduce wine to islanders and eventually to Europeans.[4]
1000-1400 AD
Winemaking begins in Medieval Europe
As grape production grows in southern Europe, so does the winemaking industry (as northern Europe focuses more on beer). Monasteries begin their vineyards in now-famous places such as Champagne and Burgundy.[5]
National Drink Wine Day FAQs
How did the tradition of toasting with wine originate?
The custom of toasting dates back to ancient Greece. Guests would drink from a shared cup to ensure it wasn’t poisoned.
This practice evolved into raising individual glasses and clinking them together, symbolizing trust and camaraderie. The sound of glasses clinking was believed to ward off evil spirits.
What is the significance of the ‘wine-dark sea’ in ancient literature?
Homer’s epics often describe the sea as “wine-dark.” This phrase puzzled scholars, as the sea isn’t red.
Some suggest it reflects the Greeks’ limited color vocabulary. Others believe it captures the sea’s deep, rich hues at dawn or dusk.
How do different cultures celebrate wine-related festivals?
In Spain, the Haro Wine Festival features a “Battle of Wine,” where participants douse each other in wine.
In Armenia, Yerevan Wine Days showcase local wines with street festivities. Italy’s Marino Wine Festival celebrates with fountains flowing with wine.
Is there a difference between ‘wine’ and ‘vino’ in various languages?
“Wine” and “vino” both refer to fermented grape juice. “Vino” is used in Romance languages like Italian and Spanish.
The term “wine” comes from Old English “win,” derived from Latin “vinum.” Both words share the same origin but differ based on linguistic evolution.
What are some myths or misconceptions about wine?
A common myth is that older wine is always better. In reality, most wines are meant to be consumed within a few years.
Another misconception is that screw-top wines are inferior; many high-quality wines use screw caps to preserve freshness.
How did wine influence ancient medical practices?
Ancient Egyptians used wine as a base for herbal medicines. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, prescribed wine for various ailments, including digestive issues and lethargy.
Wine’s antiseptic properties made it valuable in treating wounds.
Why do some wines have animal names or images on their labels?
Animals on wine labels often symbolize the winery’s heritage or the wine’s characteristics.
For example, Australia’s Yellow Tail features a kangaroo, reflecting its origin. Such imagery can also make bottles more memorable to consumers.
How did the prohibition era impact wine production in the U.S.?
During Prohibition (1920-1933), U.S. wine production plummeted. Some vineyards survived by producing sacramental wine for religious purposes.
Others sold grape concentrate with warnings that inadvertently provided instructions for fermentation.
What is the origin of the term ‘wine cellar’?
The term “wine cellar” originates from the practice of storing wine in underground rooms.
These cellars provided consistent, cool temperatures ideal for aging wine. The word “cellar” comes from the Latin “cellarium,” meaning storeroom.
How did the tradition of stomping grapes begin?
Grape stomping, or “pigeage,” began in ancient winemaking. Humans’ gentle pressure extracted juice without crushing seeds, which can release bitter tannins. Some wineries still use this method for certain wines.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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