Sip, Snack, & Celebrate National Red Wine Day
'National Red Wine Day' is celebrated every year on August 28, giving us one more reason to pour a favorite red... or discover a new one.
The unofficial holiday was created by writer and holiday enthusiast Jace Shoemaker-Galloway in 2014, so it has now been celebrated for more than a decade.
The idea is simple: appreciate the enormous variety found in red wine, from delicate, fruit-forward Pinot Noir to rich Cabernet Sauvignon and everything in between.
---> How Will You Celebrate This Year??
Try a red varietal you've never ordered before, or compare two different reds with friends; Perhaps you can build a simple cheese-and-charcuterie spread, cook a meal that complements your favorite bottle... or, naturally, pair wine with a night of painting!
---> A Quick Guide To Red Wine And What To Pair With It:
One of the best things about red wine is just how different one glass can be from the next. At Pinot's Palette Brier Creek, guests can purchase wine from the studio bar and are welcome to bring their own food.. ((*Outside beverages aren't permitted, so leave the wine pouring to the bar!))
Check out the red on our calendar and some snack ideas to pair with...
Pinot Noir — Light, smooth & fruity
Typically lighter-bodied, with red berry and earthy flavors. Pinot Noir works wonderfully with mushrooms, chicken, salmon, mild cheeses and charcuterie.
Merlot — Soft, smooth & approachable
Known for plum and dark-fruit flavors with softer tannins. Try it with burgers, meatballs, roasted vegetables, cheddar or Gouda.
Cabernet Sauvignon — Bold & full-bodied
Cabernet is usually richer, darker and more tannic, making it a classic companion for steak, beef, aged cheeses and dark chocolate.
Malbec — Rich, dark & fruit-forward
Expect dark berry, plum and sometimes smoky or spicy notes. Pair it with barbecue, beef, sausage, spicy cheeses or roasted nuts.
Syrah/Shiraz — Bold, spicy & savory
Syrah and Shiraz can bring blackberry, pepper and spice flavors. They're excellent with barbecue, smoked meats, salami and sharp cheese.
Zinfandel — Juicy, jammy & sometimes spicy
A fruit-forward red that's great alongside pizza, barbecue, spicy foods, cured meats and flavorful cheeses.
Tempranillo — Earthy, savory & balanced
A Spanish favorite that can feature cherry, leather and spice notes. Pair it with Manchego, cured meats, olives, roasted peppers or tapas.
Chianti — Bright, tart & food-friendly
Made primarily from Sangiovese, Chianti's acidity makes it especially good with tomato-based dishes, pizza, Italian meats and Parmesan.
Red Blends — A Little Bit Of Everything
Blends combine different grapes to create their own balance of fruit, spice, tannin and richness. They're wonderfully versatile with cheese boards, pizza, meats and chocolate.
Sweet Red — Fruity & easy-sipping
Sweeter reds are a great choice for those who don't love dry wine. Pair them with berries, chocolate, cookies or mild cheeses.
Red Wine + Paint Night: Brier Creek Pairings
National Red Wine Day falls on Friday, August 28, 2026, making it an especially good excuse for a night out with friends.
Choose a class, come in with some simple snacks, and get ready to pick your favorite red to sip as you paint!
You'll spend the evening doing exactly what Pinot's Palette does best: paint, drink and have fun!
Even better, Pinot's Palette Brier Creek already has a fantastic range of reds on its wine menu. Based on the current menu you shared, here are some simple paint-night-friendly snacks you can pack and bring along:
Erath Pinot Noir / Meiomi Pinot Noir – Brie or Gouda with crackers, dried cherries or cranberries, roasted almonds, grapes, or dark chocolate-covered strawberries.
Silk & Spice Dark Red – Aged cheddar, spicy salami, smoked almonds, dried figs, or dark chocolate.
Ferrari-Carano “Siena” Red Blend – Parmesan or aged Gouda, prosciutto, Italian breadsticks, olives, or chocolate-covered cherries.
Orin Swift “Sign of the Times” Red Blend – Sharp cheddar, salami, seasoned mixed nuts, pita chips with hummus, or dark chocolate.
Banfi Chianti Classico – Parmesan, mozzarella-and-pepperoni skewers, Italian meats, bruschetta-style crackers, or olives.
Mollydooker “The Boxer” Shiraz – Smoked Gouda, peppered salami, BBQ-flavored nuts, spicy snack mix, or dark chocolate.
Fabre Malbec / Trapiche Malbec – Manchego or sharp cheddar, beef jerky, roasted almonds, salami, or dark chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Michael David 6th Sense Syrah – Smoked cheese, pepperoni, spicy mixed nuts, crackers with fig jam, or dark chocolate.
Sycamore Merlot / Duckhorn Decoy Merlot – Gouda, mild cheddar, prosciutto, walnuts, dried cherries, or milk/dark chocolate.
Tempranillo – Manchego, chorizo, Marcona almonds, olives, crackers, or dried apricots.
7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel – Sharp cheddar, pepperoni, BBQ-seasoned nuts, beef jerky, dried berries, or chocolate brownies/bites.
Orin Swift “8 Years in the Desert” Zinfandel Blend – Aged cheddar, spicy salami, smoked almonds, BBQ snack mix, or rich dark chocolate.
Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon – Aged cheddar, Parmesan, salami, beef jerky, roasted nuts, or dark chocolate.
Sycamore Cabernet Sauvignon – Sharp cheddar, smoked Gouda, pepperoni, seasoned almonds, or chocolate-covered pretzels.
J. Lohr “7 Oaks” Cabernet Sauvignon – Cheddar, Gouda, salami, roasted cashews, dried cherries, or dark chocolate.
J. Lohr “Hilltop” Cabernet Sauvignon – Aged cheddar or Parmesan, cured meats, roasted almonds, dark chocolate truffles, or chocolate-covered espresso beans.
And for the House Red choices, an easy rule of thumb is: Pinot Noir → Brie + fruit; Merlot → Gouda + prosciutto; Red Blend → cheddar + salami; Cabernet Sauvignon → aged cheese + dark chocolate.
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Friday, Aug 28 we're offering an 'Open Studio' class where you get to pick the painting you want to do! No need to stick with what's been assigned to the calendar.. It's all about what YOU want to paint!
We're also offering a moody moonscape, 'Glow River'... AND a date-night/2- canvas painting titled, 'Let's Get Toasty' (*can also be painted on one canvas if you prefer).