2026 Wine Days

We LOVE wine days! It’s a chance for us to try things we may not have or have forgotten about! With that in mind, we have created an extensive calendar of international and national Wine Days throughout the year to help you celebrate your favorite varietals and styles each month. The 2026 calendar lists over 40 special days honoring everything from Champagne and Rosé to more obscure grapes like Furmint and Tannat.

Holidays are organized by month as well as alphabetically by grape variety or type for easy reference. Each date includes a brief description of what it commemorates, such as National Wine Day encouraging appreciation of wine diversity. Shelley and Phil hope the calendar will inspire episode topic ideas and seasonal tasting adventures for oenophiles to explore different wines with intentionality.

The detailed list serves as a fun planning tool for both novices and connoisseurs. We hope our listeners will mark special days on their calendars months in advance to indulge in the wines being celebrated. Whether hosting a special varietal-themed dinner party or seeking a new bottle to discover, the Wine Days calendar offers endless reasons to raise a glass throughout the year. After all, #ItsWineTime! #Cheersing

By Date (see by grape variety below):

January

10th Champagne and French Fries Day (one of our favorite episodes of the year!)

27th International Port Wine Day

February

1st International Furmint #FurmintDay

2nd Happy Birthday to South African Wine Day – #HappyBirthdaySAWine

5th Rosé Day – Australia and New Zealand

16th Syrah Day – A day to appreciate Syrah, a red wine grape variety known for producing bold, earthy wines with flavors of black pepper and dark fruit.

18th Global Drink Wine Day (United States) – A day to raise a glass and enjoy your favorite wine, celebrating the culture and joy of wine drinking.

24th Open That Bottle Night (International) – A night to open and savor a special bottle of wine that you’ve been saving for a memorable occasion. Started by Dottie and John, it always falls on the last Saturday of the month.

March – This is the first of TWO Washington Wine Month‘s

3rd Mulled Wine Day – International – A day to enjoy warm, spiced wine drinks and bring some winter coziness year-round.

13th Riesling Day – International – Dedicated to versatile Riesling, prized for its minerality, lovely acidity and ability to age gracefully for decades.

21st World Vermouth Day

April

14th Tannat – International – Honoring Tannat, the high tannin grape of Madiran used to craft bold, age-worthy reds with notes of plum, blackberry and truffle.

17th Malbec World Day – International – A day to indulge in and learn more about Malbec, Argentina’s signature grape producing wines with nuanced berry and pepper flavors.

24th International Viognier Day – Celebrated on the last Friday of April to appreciate the unique qualities and flavors of Viognier, a white grape variety known for its aromatic wines full of peachy flavors and floral perfumes.

27th World Marselan Day – International – Recognizing Marselan, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache producing rich yet elegant reds often found in the Rhone Valley.

May is Oregon Wine Month

1st International Sauvignon Blanc Day – International #SauvBlancDay – Always the first Friday in May, Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile white grape known for its balanced acidity and flavors ranging from citrus to grassy depending on region.

9th World Moscato – International

17th Pinot Grigio – National – Pinot Grigio is an elegant Italian white wine often displaying lemon, lime and floral aromas with a dry, crisp palate.

21st International Chardonnay Day – International – Celebrated on the Thursday before the last Monday of May and created by Rick Bakas.

24th Anniversary of Judgement of Paris

25th National Wine Day (USA) 

25th Wine Day – National #NationalWineDay – A day celebrate wine and all it brings to the table, both literally and culturally.

June is Idaho Wine Month

10th Durif Day – National #DurifDay – Durif is a hearty red grape used to produce bold wines with concentrated berry flavors well-suited to grilled meats and stews.

15th-19th Prosecco Week – National – Third week in June

12th World Verdejo Day (Second Friday in June)

13th Drink Chenin Blanc Day – International – This day is set aside to celebrate the versatility and global presence of Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc is renowned for its versatility, producing still and sparkling wines from bone dry to off dry and even sweet styles with flavors ranging from tropical to honeyed.

21st World Lambrusco Day – International

26th International Rosé Day – This is a day to celebrate Rosé wines globally, which is why it’s not to be confused with the National Rosé Day on June 10th, which is more focused on celebrations within the United States.

July

1st week of July – Sparkling Wine – International

12th International Cava Day – International #CavaDay – Cava is a quality sparkling wine made using the same method as Champagne, produced primarily in Spain’s Catalan region.

23rd Shiraz Day – International – 4th Thursday of July – Shiraz is the name for Syrah in Australia where it thrives, producing bold wines expressing leather, pepper and dark fruit flavors.

25th Wine and Cheese Day – International – A celebration of wine’s ability to beautifully complement the flavors in cheese from around the world.

August – This is the second of TWO Washington Wine Month‘s

1st International Albariño Day – International

4th National White Wine Day – National

13th Prosecco Day – International

18th International Pinot Noir Day – International

28th Red Wine Day – National

September is Missouri Wine Month

1st International Cap Classique Day – This is the global celebration of South Africa’s premium sparkling wine, held annually on September 1st every year.

3rd International Cabernet Sauvignon Day – International (Always the Thursday before Labor Day) #CabernetDay – Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted red wine grapes, producing full-bodied wines with flavors ranging from blackcurrant to tobacco depending on region.

5th National Chianti Day – National

18th Grenache – International #GrenacheDay – The third Friday of September, Grenache is a warm weather grape producing medium to full-bodied red wines often blended, displaying flavors ranging from red fruit to dried herbs depending on region.

October

4-11 Torrontés Week – International #TorrontésDay

6th National Orange Wine Day – National #NationalOrangeWineDay – Orange wine refers to white wines made like reds, with extended grape-skin contact producing complex, flavorful wines ranging in hue from pale amber to deep copper.

10th Pinotage – International (2nd Saturday in October) #PinotageDay – Pinotage is South Africa’s signature variety producing wines with spice and plum flavors, often requiring time to mellow their tannins.

22nd Austiran Sekt (Sparkler) – International – Austrian Sekt is made using traditional methods, similar to Champagne, but with a unique twist. It allows all methods of sparkling wine production, including the Traditional Method and Charmat Method.

24th Global Champagne – International (Celebrated the fourth Friday of every October) #ChampagneDay – An elegant sparkling wine exclusively produced in the Champagne region of France using secondary fermentation.

29th Carignan – International (Last Thursday in October) – Carignan grapes yield sturdy reds well-suited to the Mediterranean, with spices and dark fruits on the palate.

November

7th International Merlot Day – International

12th International Tempranillo Day – International #TempranilloDay #Tempranillo – Second Thursday of November, Tempranillo produces structured, age-worthy wines often featuring notes of plum, black cherry and spice.

18th Zinfandel Day – National (3rd Wednesday of November)

19th Beaujolais Nouveau Day – International (3rd Thursday of November) – Celebrating the first wines of the young Beaujolais vintage, known for their light, juicy cherry and cranberry flavors.

24th International Carménère Day – International

December

4th Cabernet Franc Day – National

5th Prohibition Repeal Day – National

10th International Tokaj Aszú – International -Celebrating the naturally sweet wine from the Tokaj wine region

16th Pinot Meunier Day – International – Highlighting the often-underappreciated grape variety that plays a key role in Champagne blends

31st Champagne – National – Ringing in the New Year with a glass of the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine is a time-honored tradition.

Alphabetically by Grape Varietal and Type:

Albariño: International Albariño Day – August 1

Aszú (Tokaj): International Tokaj Aszú Day (World Aszú Day) – December 10

Beaujolais: Beaujolais Nouveau Day – November 19 (Third Thursday of November)

Cabernet Franc: International Cabernet Franc Day – December 4 (FRIDAY!)

Cabernet Sauvignon: International Cabernet Sauvignon Day – September 3 (Thursday before Labor Day)

Cap Classique: International Cap Classique Day – September 1

Carignan: International Carignan Day – October 29 (Last Thursday of October)

Carmenère: International Carmenère Day – November 24

Cava: International Cava Day – July 12

Champagne:

• Global Champagne Day – October 23 (FRIDAY!)
• National Champagne Day (USA) – December 31

Chardonnay: International Chardonnay Day – May 21 (The Thursday before Memorial Day)

Chenin Blanc: Drink Chenin Blanc Day – June 13

Chianti: National Chianti Day – September 4 (FRIDAY! First Friday of September)

Durif: Durif Day – June 10

Furmint: International Furmint Day – February 1

Grenache: International Grenache Day – September 18 (FRIDAY! Third Friday of September)

Lambrusco: World Lambrusco Day – June 21

Malbec: World Malbec Day – April 17 (FRIDAY!)

Marselan: World Marselan Day – April 27

Merlot: International Merlot Day – November 7

Moscato: World Moscato Day – May 9

Orange Wine: National Orange Wine Day – October 6

Pinot Grigio: Pinot Grigio Day – May 17

Pinot Meunier: Pinot Meunier Day – December 16

Pinot Noir: International Pinot Noir Day – August 18

Pinotage: International Pinotage Day – October 10 (Second Saturday of October)

Port: International Port Wine Day – January 27

Prosecco: International Prosecco Day – August 13

Riesling: International Riesling Day – March 13 (FRIDAY!)

Rosé:

• National Rosé Day (Australia & New Zealand) – February 5
• International Rosé Day – June 26 (FRIDAY! Fourth Friday of June)

Sauvignon Blanc: International Sauvignon Blanc Day – May 1 (FRIDAY! First Friday in May)

Shiraz: International Shiraz Day – July 23 (Fourth Thursday of July)

Syrah: International Syrah Day – February 16

Tannat: Tannat Day – April 14

Tempranillo: International Tempranillo Day – November 12 (Second Thursday of November)

Verdejo: World Verdejo Day – June 12 (FRIDAY! Second Friday in June)

Viognier: International Viognier Day – April 24 (Last Friday of April)

Zinfandel: National Zinfandel Day – November 18 (Third Wednesday of November)