International Drinks Days – a Calendar in progress
Have you noticed the increasing number of International Drinks Days? These are annual days dedicated to a grape variety, a cocktail, spirit, or beer. How did the idea of International Drinks Days arise? Do they have any value besides clogging up your calendar or Twitter feed, do they have any value? Do you look forward to any of them? Why those particular days, and who gets to choose? How are we to celebrate?
Did it originate with Beaujolais Nouveau, which used to be widely celebrated and at least commemorates the new wine’s release? So many questions. I fear we may never know the answers.
And, excepting Xinomavro and Furmint, these tend to be only for the most well-known grapes and drinks. I lament the lack of International Drinks Days for the likes of Bobal, Barsaglina and Bacchus. I wonder how you start one?
It’s a bit of fun, so in the (ahem) spirit of International Drinks Days, here is an annual drinks calendar, with some links out to related Wine Alchemy articles. As for English Wine and Sherry, their celebrations last for A WEEK, while Riesling and Rioja lasts for a MONTH!
Still, let’s face it, every day is reason enough to celebrate!
International Drinks Day Calendar.
January
Nothing. Maybe that’s because of “Dry January”?
February
1 February – International Furmint Day
First Saturday – International Pisco Sour Day
8 February – International Scotch Whisky Day
16 February – International Syrah Day
18 February – Global Drink Wine Day
22 February – International Margarita Day
27 February – National Kahlúa Day
March
3 March – International Irish Whiskey Day
3 March – International Mulled Wine Day
5 March – National Absinthe Day
13 March – International Riesling Day
21 March – World Vermouth Day
27 March – International Whisk(e)y Day
April
14 April – International Tannat Day
17 April – World Malbec Day
28 April – International Viognier Day
May
5 May – International Sauvignon Blanc Day (1st Friday in May)
13 May – World Cocktail Day
15 May – World Whisky Day
21 May – International Chardonnay Day
June
4 June – International Cognac Day
12 June – World Gin Day
16 June – Drink Chenin Day (3rd Friday in June)
21 June – World Lambrusco Day
23 June – International Rosé Day (4th Friday in June)
July
10 July – World Rum Day
12 July – International Cava Day
11 July – World Mojito Day
24 July – World Tequila Day
August
1 August – Old Vine Day; International Albariño Day
First Friday – International Beer Day
18 August – International Pinot Noir Day
30 August – World Mai Tai Day
September
1 September – International Cap Classique Day
2 September – International Cabernet Sauvignon Day
10 September – International Port Wine Day
17 September – International Grenache Day (3rd Friday in September)
October
2 October – World No Alcohol Day
4 October – International Vodka Day
6 October – Orange Wine Day
10 October – International Pinotage Day (2nd Saturday in October)
19 October – International Gin and Tonic Day
23 October – World Champagne Day
31 October – International Carignan Day
November
1 November – International Xinomavro Day
7 November – International Merlot Day
12 November – International Tempranillo Day (2nd Thursday in November)
18 November – International Poitín Day
Third Thursday – Beaujolais Nouveau Day
24 November – International Carmenère Day
27 November – Zinfandel Day
December
4 December – International Cabernet Franc Day
10 December – International Aszú Day
And finally
If you know of any other examples, and I bet they are legion, I’ll be happy to add them to this Calendar – just let me know!