A little reason to celebrate
National Coq au Vin Day
Food ยท May 29
A day for coq au vin, the French braise of chicken slowly cooked in red wine with mushrooms, onions and bits of bacon.
National Coq au Vin Day falls on Saturday, May 29, 2027. That is 214 days away.
Coq au vin is chicken braised in wine. The name is French for rooster in wine, and the dish comes from French home cooking, where a long, slow simmer turned a tough old bird into something tender.
The classic version uses red wine, often from Burgundy, along with small onions, mushrooms and lardons (little strips of bacon or salt pork). The sauce cooks down until it turns dark, glossy and deep. Many cooks brown the chicken first, and some thicken the sauce at the end with a bit of flour and butter. Regional versions swap in white wine, and the results taste quite different.
Most kitchens today use an ordinary chicken, often thighs and legs, which hold up well to a long braise. The dish asks for patience more than skill. It tends to taste better the next day, after the flavors have had a night to settle, which makes it a good choice for cooking ahead.
People mark the day by making a pot at home, ordering it at a French bistro, or simply reading up on a recipe they have meant to try for years. It pairs well with boiled potatoes, egg noodles or a loaf of crusty bread for the sauce.
The bread matters more than it seems. The sauce is the best part, and a plate wiped clean with a heel of bread is the usual sign the pot was worth the wait.
Ways to celebrate
- Braise chicken thighs in red wine with mushrooms and small onions.
- Make the dish a day ahead and taste the difference.
- Look for coq au vin on a local bistro menu.
- Try a white wine version and compare it with the red.
- Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, May 29 |
| 2027 | Saturday, May 29 |
| 2028 | Monday, May 29 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, May 29 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, May 29 |
Also on May 29
Categories: Food days