National White Wine Day on August 3 is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a glass of this very versatile drink. White wines make for great apéritifs before a meal, a suitable companion to fish or white meat dishes, and a great accompaniment to dessert. White wine is generally considered to be lighter and more refreshing than red wine and is the preferred alcoholic beverage for millions of people throughout the world. So, whether it is a chardonnay or a sauvignon blanc, National White Wine Day is here and it’s time to relax and treat yourself to a crisp little tipple.
History of National White Wine Day
The origins of wine can be traced back as far as 7500 years ago, in what is now known as Iran. Experts are pretty sure that wine was being drunk long before this but there’s no actual evidence for them to point towards at the moment. By 460 BC it was being consumed in Europe and the Greek physician Hippocrates was prescribing it as a remedy to some of his patients.
During the Roman times, wine featured heavily at expensive banquets and was considered a sign of prestige. It was the Romans who began to produce less sweet versions of white wine as they conquered new territories in the North and cultivated on new land. It was also the Romans who introduced the concept of drinking cool wine in the summer and warm wine in the winter, a practice which many still follow today.
White wine eventually became popular throughout all of Europe, which led to more vineyards throughout the continent. By the 16th century, that popularity had spread to the Americas, with vines being planted in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Champagne was created in the 18th century and by the 19th century, it was the drink of choice for the elite. Champagne is only produced in the Champagne province of France, an area that has unique soil due to its sloping landscapes.
The 20th century has seen vines introduced to new places and technological developments that have changed the process of winemaking throughout the world. One thing, though, hasn’t changed, and that’s the people’s love for a glass of white wine. The origins of National White Wine Day are unclear but we do know the best way to celebrate, and that’s with a glass of the good stuff.