From discovering new varieties to tasting Canadian standouts, here’s how to celebrate international wine days in style
This year, there’s over 40 internationally recognized wine and grape days vying for your attention, according to lists published by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and the Wine International Association.
As a wine enthusiast, you have likely heard of one of the longest running annual days, Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which started in 1985 and takes place every third Thursday of November. However, many of the days are less well known even though their wines can be delicious. A complete list is at the end of this article.
Read Also: The study of wine can be an enriching experience
Like any event that only happens once a year, it is essential to have a plan to get the most out of it. Here’s three tips to kick start your plan:
We haven’t met. Please introduce me.
Many wines and grapes with internationally recognized days are popular to the point that they need no introduction to people in Canada, although it might not be well known that they have their own day.
Pinot Grigio Day is May 17, Prosecco Day is August 13, and Chianti Day is September 5. But several wines and grapes with their own day in 2025 have a low profile in Canada. There’s Baga, a grape in red wines and sparkling rosés from Portugal. Its day is May 3. Cap Classique – the name for traditional method sparkling wines from South Africa – sees its day celebrated on September 1. Vranec, a dark-skinned grape grown primarily in North Macedonia, has its day on October 5.
Here’s the tip: When the day for a new-to-you wine or grape comes around, plan to introduce your taste buds to them. The bottles that you pick could become one of your favourite finds for 2025.
Style steals the show
Style steals the showIt is no secret that style influences how the same grape variety will look, feel, smell, and taste when it’s turned into wine. Styles are characteristics such as whether a wine leans toward light bodied or full, is from a cool climate or a warm one, has spent time in oak barrels, clay amphora, steel tank or a concrete egg. There’s many more.
The takeaway tip is to explore different styles of the same grape on the day that you plan to celebrate. Revel in the contrasts. Adventure awaits!
For example, when it comes to chardonnay, I gravitate to ones that have a cool climate, unoaked style. So, for me, when Chardonnay Day rolls around on May 22, I plan to taste other styles to grow my comfort zone.
Taste more Canada
While Canada is not the birthplace of the wines and grapes on the 2025 list of days, its growers and makers produce some of them extraordinarily well. As part of your plan, buy bottles from them.
On Chardonnay Day, May 22, taste the magic of Stratus Vineyards, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Look for their “Amphora”, named after the clay vessels in which it was aged. The 2022 “Amphora” was named one of VineRoutes’ 50 standout Canadian wines of 2024.
On Pinot Noir Day, August 18, open a bottle from Hubbs Creek Vineyard, in Prince Edward County, Ontario. I’ve been impressed with their wines since my first visit to their tasting room back in 2010. Their 2019 Pinot Noir took home a gold medal in 2023.
On Merlot Day, November 7, enjoy expressions from Corcelettes Estate Vineyard of Similkameen Valley, British Columbia. Both their 2019 and 2020 Merlot walked off with gold medals in 2023. I visited the winery last November. It was my first time there, and it won’t be my last.
For Cabernet Franc Day, December 5, have a glass from Domaine Queylus of Saint Anns, Ontario. They bottle two styles of cabernet franc, giving you a perfect opportunity to set up a side-by-side tasting. Their delicious 2021 ‘Tradition’ earned a spot on the VineRoutes 50 standout Canadian wines of 2024.
With so many opportunities to explore, we encourage you to plan ahead, sip adventurously, and raise a glass to your next great wine discovery!
Share your tips and plans for your favourite wine and grape days by following our Instagram @vineroutes.
List of days for 2025
List of days for 20251 February – Furmint Day
16 February – Syrah Day
18 February – Global Drink Wine Day
3 March – Mulled Wine Day
13 March – Riesling Day
21 March – Vermouth Day
14 April – Tannat Day
17 April – Malbec Day
25 April – Viognier Day
27 April – Marselan Day
2 May – Sauvignon Blanc Day
3 May – Baga Day
9 May – Moscato Day
17 May – Pinot Grigio Day
22 May – Chardonnay Day
26 May – Pinot Grigio Day
12 June – Verdejo Day
12 June – Verdejo Day13 June – Chenin Blanc Day
14 June – Rosé Day
21 June – Lambrusco Day
12 July – Cava Day
24 July – Shiraz Day
1 August – Albariño Day
13 August – Prosecco Day
18 August – Pinot Noir Day
1 September – Cap Classique Day
4 September – Cabernet Sauvignon Day
5 September – Chianti Day
10 September – Port Wine Day
19 September – Grenache Day
5 October – Vranec Day
6 October – Orange Wine Day
11 October – Pinotage Day
14 October – Prokupac Day
24 October – Champagne Day
24 October – Champagne Day26 October – Mavrud Day
30 October – Carignan Day
1 November – Xinomavro Day
7 November – Merlot Day
13 November – Tempranillo Day
19 November – Zinfandel Day
20 November – Beaujolais Nouveau Day
24 November – Carménère Day
1 December – Maratheftiko Day
4 December – Cabernet Franc Day
10 December – 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. Craig is fascinated by the stories behind the bottles he presents at private tastings and uncorks for friends and family. Vacations usually involve visits to vineyards.
