A little reason to celebrate
National Pinot Noir Day
Drink ยท August 18
A day for pinot noir, the thin-skinned red grape and the light, silky red wine made from it, known for flavors of cherry and earth.
National Pinot Noir Day falls on Wednesday, August 18, 2027. That is 295 days away.
Pinot noir is a red wine grape with thin skins and a reputation for being fussy. It likes cool climates, ripens early, and can turn out very differently from one patch of ground to the next. The wine made from it carries the same name.
In the glass, pinot noir is usually lighter in color than many reds, often a clear ruby you can almost read through. The flavors lean toward red cherry, raspberry and strawberry, sometimes with notes of mushroom, forest floor or spice as it ages. Tannins tend to be soft, so it feels smooth rather than grippy.
That gentle build makes it easy to pair. It sits comfortably beside roast chicken, salmon, mushroom dishes and duck, foods that would be flattened by a heavier wine. Many people serve it slightly cool, a little below room temperature, which keeps the fruit bright.
The grape has a long history in Burgundy, in France, and it is grown widely in the United States as well, with Oregon's Willamette Valley and parts of California especially known for it. It is also one of the grapes used in Champagne, where the juice is pressed off the dark skins quickly so the wine stays pale.
A wide, bowl-shaped glass is the traditional choice for it, because the extra room gathers the aroma toward your nose.
Ways to celebrate
- Try pinot noir from two regions side by side and compare.
- Cook roast chicken or a mushroom dish to pair with a glass.
- Chill a bottle briefly before serving and notice the difference.
- Look for a local wine shop tasting featuring pinot noir.
- Share your tasting notes with a friend who prefers bigger reds.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, August 18 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, August 18 |
| 2028 | Friday, August 18 |
| 2029 | Saturday, August 18 |
| 2030 | Sunday, August 18 |
All national days on August 18
Also on August 18
Categories: Drink days