Global Drink Wine Day: How We're Celebrating!

Every year, on 18 February, the global wine community unites to celebrate a unique beverage that has, for centuries, brought people together. To share wine is to share life, and lives, for every glass connects people, places and memories. Each sip tells a story of vineyard, of terroir, of craftsmanship, and of  broader communities – including those who pick the grapes.

Members of the team at The Flying Winemaker are naturally passionate about wine, and are delighted to share how they will be celebrating this special day. 

From his cellar, founder and winemaker, Eddie McDougall, will retrieve a bottle of port from the iconic 1977 vintage, crafted by one of the traditional British houses like Graham’s or Dow’s. “These wines are so understated and undervalued,” he says, as well as an amazing food match, perhaps with roast beef, roast potatoes, and a classic gravy. “Finishing off the bottle with blue cheese or aged cheddar is a great way to finish the meal”. 

Winemaker Lilian Carter also stresses the deep pleasure of sharing a bottle of wine over a meal with friends and family. Her go-to grape has always been Chardonnay: “I enjoy exploring all its incarnations!” Australia-based, she will be celebrating Global Drink Wine Day on a warm summer’s day, so will select a chilled Chardonnay, and serve it alongside grilled seafood and light salads. 

“I'll be raising a glass of Chenin Blanc,” says The Flying Winemaker’s chief operations officer, Kyle Oosterberg. “As a South African, it feels like a fitting choice. Not only is Chenin Blanc incredibly versatile and delicious, but South Africa is also home to some of the oldest and most diverse expressions of this varietal.” From crisp and dry, to rich and luscious, he says there is a Chenin Blanc out there for everyone. Might Global Drink Wine Day offer a chance to branch out and experience this grape? 

The diversity and versatility of Champagne is similarly overlooked, believes business manager, Mark Law. NV offers a consistent house style, while vintage tells the story of a specific year. From the crisp minerality of Blanc de Blancs and the richer fruit tones of a Blanc de Noirs, there’s also a range of sweetness levels. But perhaps what he most loves about Champagne is its inherent conviviality; its ability to encourage conversation, while both sparking memories and creating new ones. “And on Global Drink Wine Day, I’ll be raising my glass of Champagne to all of that!”

WORDS: ANNABEL JACKSON