How educators, enthusiasts, and curious drinkers can use these days to explore new grapes, styles, and regions all year long
The Wine International Association and the Wine & Spirit and Education Trust both deserve a big round of applause because they’ve given wine enthusiasts a gift that will keep on giving throughout 2026. Their gift is their lists of Wine and Grape Days (WGDs) to be celebrated in 2026. WGDs are a beverage sibling to food awareness days, such as World Chocolate Day on July 7 or National Poutine Day on April 11. According to their lists, there’s more than 40 WGDs this year.
Learn all about Grape Varieties & Wine Styles
I’m a wine educator. I teach in a college sommelier program. I think WGDs are a priceless resource for every wine lover who wants to have more fun and adventure with their wine choices. In this article, I mention four ways I’ll use them this year (and so can you). I also give you a list of not to miss WGDs for your own use.
Uncork the unknown
I won’t lie to you. I have all-time favourite wine grapes and styles, but I’m drawn like metal to a magnet to WGDs for grapes that are unfamiliar to me. Its because these wines have mystique and they build anticipation in my senses. This year, I’ve set reminders in my phone for two of them. One is for World Vranec Day, a dark skin grape grown mostly in North Macedonia and in Montenegro. It is October 5. The other is International Mavrud Day, a red wine grape of Bulgarian origin. It is October 26.
Take a second to add a couple of days of not-well-known-to-you wines into your calendar so you can find out if their textures, flavours, tastes, and aromas light up your senses with joy.
Bubbles are bliss
Bubbles are blissIt’s a fact. Sparkling wines have something special for all the senses. The sounds. The visuals. The scents. The feels. The tastes. Oh my.
Five different styles of bubbly have a WGD in 2026. That’s five days for sparkling wine, however, it isn’t a crime to open a bottle on the other 360 days of the year. I plan to glow up my glass by filling it with each of these styles at least once, ideally from bottles that I haven’t had the pleasure to taste.
June 21 is World Lambrusco Day, the red hued wine from ltaly’s Emilia-Romagna region. International Cava Day, the Spanish sparkler, is July 12. August 13 is International Prosecco Day, the omnipresent Italian bubbly. Cap Classique Day, the traditional method creation from South Africa, is September 1. And of course, World Champagne Day is October 23.
Mindful drinking
Starting in 2023, there has been a WGD that encourages wine lovers to consume mindfully all year round. Called Wine-in-Moderation Day, it is November 8. The day is sponsored by the Wine in Moderation Association, an organization of trade associations and businesses who produce and sell wine. One of their recent themes for the day was “The greatest wine? The one that you’ll remember”.
November 8 (as well as every WGD) are opportunities to explore no and low alcohol styles of my favourite wine grapes, regions, and styles. This experiential tasting is paying off for me. I’ve found some delicious wines at retailers large and small.
Canada is cool
Canada is cool Award-winning wineries and rising stars from Nova Scotia to British Columbia have wines with ties to over a dozen WGDs, starting at the letter “A” for Albariño and ending at “V” for Viognier. World Albariño Day is August 1, and International Viognier Day is April 26.
I have recommendations for you inspired by VineRoutes’ list of 50 Standout Canadian Wines of 2025.
For International Riesling Day on March 13, look for labels from Cave Spring Vineyard in Jordon, Ontario. Their 2023 ‘Adam Steps’ Riesling is on the 2025 standout list.
On International Pinot Noir Day, August 18, search for Lightfoot & Wolfville. Certified organic and biodynamic, they’re located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Their 2022 ‘Ancienne Wild Fermented’ Pinot Noir is on the 2025 standout list.
For International Cabernet Sauvignon Day on September 3, have a glass from Road 13 Vineyards of Oliver, British Columbia, part of the Okanagan Valley wine region. Their 2021 ‘John Oliver Collection’ Cabernet Sauvignon is on the 2025 standout list.
On International Cabernet Franc Day, December 4, keep an eye out for Stanners Vineyards of Hillier, Ontario. It is within the Prince Edward County wine region. Their 2023 ‘Devil’s Wishbone’ Cabernet Franc is on the 2025 standout list.
Share your tips and plans for your favourite WGDs by following our Instagram @vineroutes.
List of Wine and Grape Days for 2026:
27 January – International Port Wine Day
1 February – International Furmint Day
16 February – International Syrah Day
18 February – Global Drink Wine Day
3 March – International Mulled Wine Day
13 March – International Riesling Day
21 March – World Vermouth Day
14 April – Tannat Day
14 April – Tannat Day17 April – World Malbec Day
24 April – International Viognier Day
27 April – World Marselan Day
1 May – International Sauvignon Blanc Day
9 May – World Moscato Day
17 May – Pinot Grigio Day
21 May – International Chardonnay Day
12 June – World Verdejo Day
13 June – Drink Chenin Blanc Day
21 June – World Lambrusco Day
26 June – International Rosé Day
12 July – International Cava Day
23 July – Shiraz Day
1 August – World Albariño Day
13 August – International Prosecco Day
18 August – International Pinot Noir Day
1 September – Cap Classique Day
3 September – International Cabernet Sauvignon Day
4 September – Chianti Day
18 September – International Grenache Day
5 October – World Vranec Day
5 October – World Vranec Day6 October – Orange Wine Day
10 October – International Pinotage Day
14 October – Prokupac Day
23 October – World Champagne Day
26 October – International Mavrud Day
29 October – International Carignan Day
1 November – International Xinomavro Day
7 November – International Merlot Day
8 November – Wine in Moderation Day
12 November – International Tempranillo Day
18 November – Zinfandel Day
19 November – Beaujolais Nouveau Day
24 November – International Carménère Day
1 December – International Maratheftiko Day
4 December – International Cabernet Franc Day
10 December – World Aszú Day
16 December – Pinot Meunier Day
Craig Haynes is a part time instructor in the sommelier program at Algonquin College (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and a director with the National Capital Sommelier Guild. He holds the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level 3 certificate in Wine with merit, as well as the Wine Scholar Guild’s French Wine Scholar with honours, Italian Wine Scholar with highest honours, and Spanish Wine Scholar with highest honours.
