NATIONAL GRAPE DAY
Today is May 27 and we are celebrating the sweetness of National Grape Day by encouraging everyone enjoy one of natures most delicious foods.
#NATIONALGRAPEDAY
Grapes are one of the most popular fruits from around the world. National Grape Day on May 27 celebrates the juicy and flavorful varieties available for snacking, sharing, and even drinking.
Archeologists say grapes have been around for 130 million years. In fact, they are one of the oldest plants on earth. Early records indicate grapes were originally cultivated 6,000 to 7,000 years ago for trading in western Asia, including Egypt, Iran, Israel and Cyprus. Interestingly, grapes were also found in tombs during the pre-Christ era. Today, there are nearly 10,000 known varieties of grapes from around the world, with about 1,300 specific varieties found in vineyards for making wine.
5 Common Table Grapes
- Concord grapes are a purple grape with a sugary taste. They have large seeds and are best when used in candy, pies, jellies, and juice.
- Crimson Seedless is a reddish-green grape most commonly found in grocery stores. This grape is firm and has a subtle sweetness with a hint of tartness.
- Sultana grapes, or Thompson Seedless grapes, are possibly the oldest grape available today. This greenish/white grape is a smaller table grape with a sweet, juicy flavor.
- Niagara grapes, or white Concord grapes, are a light green grape that has a sweet, lemony flavor. Niagara grapes are great for making white grape juice.
- Flame Seedless grapes is a popular table grape and purchased often because of availability. The grape is a purple-reddish color and is a hybrid of a Thompson Seedless and the Cardinal grape.
Vino
According to archeological finds, the art of winemaking goes back about 6,000 to 7,000 BCE after discovering wine production in the Georgia region. However, many archeologists believe wine was made long before this time. Interestingly, the winemaking discovery has allowed scientists to analyze the grapes discovered by archeologists to determine the evolution and histories of grapes.
What grapes make good wine? It is important to understand wine grapes are smaller and sweeter than grapes we buy in the grocery store. Though table grapes and wine grapes are very similar, wine grapes require specialized care when growing because of their use.
Wine grapes grow all over the world. In fact, specific regions produce the best grapes for wine. However, some people are unaware the name of wine actually reflects the name of the grape.
6 Common Wine Grapes
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
The flavor of wine is depends on the region the grapes grow. Vine management during the growing season requires skill and dedication to ensure the harvest season is a successful one. Picking grapes at the exact ripeness is important to deliver a delicious wine product.
5 UNKNOWN WINE FACTS
- Toasting wine glasses originated in ancient Rome when adding toast to wine to help minimize the acidity of wine.
- In ancient Greece the host of a party would drink the first glass of wine to prove to guests the wine was not poison. This became known as drinking to someone’s health.
- The oldest alcoholic beverage was discovered in China around 7,000 BC, where a drink was made from fermented grapes, honey, and rice.
- Wine fraud is an ancient law originating in Mesopotamia and is known as The Code of Hammurabi.
- Christianity in ancient Rome began using wine as a religious ritual to promote the use of wine to help the wine industry flourish.
CHEERS TO NATIONAL GRAPE DAY
A bottle of wine goes a long way to enhancing the flavor of a meal. It also loosens the tongue and improving conversations. While most of us don’t need an excuse to open a bottle of our favorite wine, it doesn’t hurt to celebrate it when we do! There are many ways to celebrate National Grape Day, including 9 Wine Celebrations You Don’t Want to Miss. Here are a few more ways to celebrate:
- Add grapes to your green salad for additional flavor.
- Make a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich.
- Add sliced grapes to your chicken salad.
- Attend a wine tasting to learn about the different varieties of wine.
- Visit a winery to learn and sample wine.
- Participate in a wine exchange with a group of friends.
- Share your grape celebrations on social media using #NationalGrapeDay
Wine is often an essential ingredient to may celebrations, too. It’s no surprise we celebrate wine throughout the calendar. Other National Days on the Calendar worth celebrating:
- NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY | February 18
- NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY | March 3
- NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY | April 2
- NATIONAL RAISIN DAY | April 30
- NATIONAL MOSCOTO DAY | May 9
- NATIONAL GRAPE POPSICLE DAY | May 27
- NATIONAL WINE AND CHEESE DAY | July 25
- WINE TOURISM DAY | Second Saturday in November