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There really is a day for everything, and one of our favourites happens to be Global Drink Wine Day, recognised annually on February 18. As one of the oldest beverages in the world - the earliest evidence of wine was found in Georgia, around 6000 BC - wine truly deserves to be celebrated. But before you reach for your favourite Majestic bottle, here’s a little bit of history about the fermented grape juice we love so much.
During the Stone Age, Georgians began to experiment with fermenting grapes in the ground, using earthenware vessels, called Kvevri. As they developed their practices, they found that adding pine resin would help prevent the wine from spoiling (similar to how winemakers today use sulfites).
As we move forward, to 200 BC, wine was apparently consumed daily by Roman Soldiers. In some cities, due to a lack of water, they drank around 2.5 liters of wine a day! To Romans, wine was viewed as ‘medicine’, and they would add herbs, honey, vegetables and even milk, to create a ‘remedy’.
As word travelled about this incredible beverage, winemaking soon spread to Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, followed by countries like America, South Africa, and New Zealand - referred to as ‘New World’.
Finally, in the 1600s, Champagne was discovered. At first, producing bubbles in the wine was an accident and seen as a fault, so winemakers would whisk the wine to get rid of the effervescence. But eventually, they began to understand why this was happening and - after many exploded bottles - the ‘méthod champenoise’ was created.
Since the 16th century, the progression of wine has been shaped by innovation, trends, and fashion. Glass bottles were invented to store and ship wine, less sugar was added to produce dryer wines, which became more favourable, and technological advancement meant winemakers could control the growing and fermentation better, not to mention understanding how climate and location can impact a wine.
By the 1900s, the wine industry was thriving, and it continues to do so today. In recent years, we’ve seen the creation of orange wine, the ability to dealcoholize wine, and the UK has finally been recognised as a winemaking country.
So, as we raise a glass this Global Drink Wine Day, let’s remember the important role wine has played not only in history and religion, but friendships, memories, and so much more.
Whether you pick your usual favourite or decide to discover new grapes and regions, here are 10 wines from around the world to celebrate with.
Native to Spain and Portugal, Albariño is really quite new to South Africa. In fact, Springfield Estate was the second vineyard to ever make a wine from this grape. It's complex and rich, with flavours of apricot, nectarine, and that vital saline minerality.
If you usually reach for a Chablis, why not try this Edna Valley Chardonnay? Just a stone’s throw from Napa and Sonoma, famous for their top-quality Chardonnay, this wine brings elegance, quality, and value. It’s deliciously crisp and refreshing, with flavours of white peach, apricot, and melon.
For the Bordeaux-lovers, you can’t go wrong with this great-value Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from the family behind Château Recougne. As you'd expect from a wine of this calibre, it's deeply coloured, with intense flavours of dark fruits, mocha, and vanilla.
Known as The Chablis of Italy, Gavi di Gavi is made from the Cortese grape, grown and made predominantly in Piedmont. Three months resting on lees gives this wine texture and body, alongside flavours of pineapple, apricot, peach, and signature aromatics.
Reportedly the choice bodega of Winston Churchill, this wine is a tribute to the birth of the Viña Pomal winery, in 1908. Aged for 20 months in American and French oak barrels, and a further two years in-bottle before release. With bold flavours of red berries and dark fruits, toasty oak and roasted coffee, this is a great wine for those chilly nights.
Peter Lehmann is one of the biggest names in Australian winemaking - and Barossa is arguably the finest spot in the New World for full-bodied, juicy reds. This Barosan Shirac captures all of the region's best elements; It's rich and bold with intense dark raspberry, plum, mocha, and liquorice.
If light and zesty white wines are your go-to, try this classic dry Riesling, from Germany. Bursting with green apple and citrus flavours, and a finesse unique to the Mosel, this wine balances tradition with a modern approach, offering a pure, focused flavour that’s simply irresistible.
If you’re looking for something a little different to try for Global Wine Day, how about switching up your usual Burgundian Pinot Noir for one from Romania. Cramele Recas Estate is now the most successful winery in Romania, creating wines that punch way above their price point – and this Pinot Noir is no exception. Expect flavours of fresh black cherry, raspberry, and cinnamon.
This wine brings everything you’d expect from a classic Sauvignon Blanc but it also has an extra layer of complexity to it. Released six months later than other Kiwi Sauvignons, the wine spends more time ageing on the lees – giving a richness and roundness to the texture. This practice complements the restrained flavours, making for a more French, old-school style Sauvignon rather than the typical Marlborough tropical fruit-bomb.
