WASHINGTON — I am beginning to think that any organization, food item, beverage or inanimate object can have a National fill-in-the-blank Day.
For example, January saw National Bloody Mary Day on the 1st (well, that actually makes sense). Other things honored in January include — and I am not making any of this up — National Cream Puff Day, National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day, National Drinking Straw Day, National Fruitcake Toss Day, National Whipped Cream Day, National Bean Day, National Bobblehead Day, National Bubble Bath Day, National Static Electricity Day, National Step-in-the-Puddle-and-Splash-Your-Friends Day (it’s true!), Kiss a Ginger Day (finally!), National Rubber Ducky Day, National Dress-Up-Your-Pet Day, National Fig Newton Day and, my personal favorite, National Nothing Day!
So, it really comes as no surprise that Sunday, Feb. 18, is National Drink Wine Day.
It’s not like anyone actually needs an excuse to drink wine. After all, there are plenty of good reasons to pop the cork out of — or twist a screw cap off — a bottle of good juice on a regular basis. (Health benefits and meal enhancement come to mind.)
But who am I to stand in the way of any National Something-or-Other Day, particularly if it gives anyone a reason to open up a bottle of wine and enjoy the day?
My only complaint is that wine only gets its “National Day” once a year. Personally, I think every day should be Wine Day. But hey, it’s a start.
So, here are a few recommendations in several price ranges to help you celebrate this Sunday, along with National Crab-Stuffed-Flounder Day.
Of course, any occasion that includes a cause for celebration is going to include bubbles. Located in the heart of the prosecco region of Italy, Francesco Mionetto founded his winery in the small village of Valdobbiadene in 1887 and quickly established a reputation for quality, tradition and innovation. The Nonvintage Mionetto Prosecco Brut is made with organic Glera grapes from a certified organic winery. Delicate notes of white flowers and green apple are found in the bouquet. Refreshing bubbles carry an explosion of green apple, stone fruit and brioche across the palate, ending with refreshing crispness from the bright acidity. $13
New Zealand has definitely become well-known for producing value-driven quality sauvignon blanc wines. Grown in cooler climates, the 2016 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Icon, from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, displays scents of gooseberry and grassy notes on the fragrant nose. Ripe flavors of passion fruit and pear exhibit solid intensity upfront, while notes of grapefruit and kiwi shine throughout the crisp finish. All you need is an ice bucket. $16
The 2015 J Vineyards Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, is proof that quality pinot noir does not have to be expensive. This is a pretty wine that expresses delicate scents of cherry, violets and dark blueberry that leads to layered fruit of cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry on the sumptuous frame. Additional notes of cocoa and orange rind round out the firm, but supple, finish. $35
If you are looking to splurge on a big red wine on National Wine Day, then the 2015 The Prisoner Wine Company Cuttings will definitely deliver. It is deliciously smooth yet powerful. This big red wine is a blend of 80 percent cabernet sauvignon and the balance is petite sirah, syrah and zinfandel. It offers loads of blueberry, dark cherry and cocoa flavors on the front of the palate. It ends with a crescendo of espresso, dark chocolate and black licorice on the big-bodied finish. It is a wine built to delight big red wine drinkers. $55
Remember, while you enjoy National Drink Wine Day, always drink responsibly — and always try a new wine!
