A little reason to celebrate
National Red Wine Day
Drink ยท August 28
A day for red wine: how it gets its color from grape skins, what it tastes like, and simple ways adults can enjoy a glass with a meal.
National Red Wine Day falls on Saturday, August 28, 2027. That is 305 days away.
Red wine gets its color from the grape skins. The juice of most wine grapes is pale, so winemakers leave the dark skins in contact with the juice while it ferments, and the color, along with much of the flavor, comes out slowly.
Those skins also bring tannins, the compounds that leave a dry, slightly grippy feeling on the tongue, a bit like strong black tea. A light red such as Pinot Noir tends to feel soft and bright, while Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah usually feels fuller and firmer. Descriptions on the back of a bottle lean on fruit words like cherry, plum and blackberry, and sometimes on stranger ones like leather or pepper. Nobody added leather. The grapes and the barrels just get there on their own.
Most adults who mark the day keep it simple: open a bottle with dinner, or try a grape they have not had before. Red wine pairs naturally with food that has some richness to it, like a tomato sauce, roasted mushrooms or a hard cheese. Many reds are served a little cooler than a warm room, which keeps them from tasting heavy.
A wide glass helps, because swirling lets the wine meet the air and makes the aroma easier to notice. Leftover wine keeps better with the cork pushed back in and the bottle stored in the fridge, then warmed slightly before the next pour.
Ways to celebrate
- Try a red grape variety you have never tasted before.
- Pair a glass with a simple tomato pasta or hard cheese.
- Compare a light red and a full-bodied red side by side.
- Read a back label and see which flavor notes you can find.
- Look for a local wine shop tasting or a nearby vineyard.
Things for the day
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Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, August 28 |
| 2027 | Saturday, August 28 |
| 2028 | Monday, August 28 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, August 28 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, August 28 |
All national days on August 28
Also on August 28
Categories: Drink days