August 18, 2022 - National Pinot Noir Day | National Fajita Day

Welcome to August 18th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate fussy grapes and a satisfying sizzle. Pinot noir grapes are notoriously hard to grow. Too much weather variation can ruin a crop very quickly. Plus, the grapes grow in tight, cone-like clusters, which can be a problem because the fruit is extremely thin-skinned. This growth pattern is what gives the grape—and the wine—its name. The clusters look a bit like pine cones, and the skin is dark. Pinot noir. Oenophiles know that this finicky little grape makes a complex wine that doesn’t overpower—perfect for pairing with everything from bleu cheese to roast duck. On National Pinot Noir Day, celebrate with a glass of red that’s worth all the fuss. Everyone knows that food cooked outdoors just tastes better. Maybe that’s why fajitas became a household favorite. In the early 1930s Mexican vaqueros in Southwestern Texas found a way to use throwaway cuts of meat. These hungry cowboys cooked over an open flame and transformed the ordinary into a sizzling meal. They paired the fire roasted meat with corn and flour tortillas and a regional dish was born. Fajitas took off around the globe when restaurants began serving them with peppers and onions, guacamole and salsa. No matter how you dress them up, it’s the flame licked flavor that makes them special. On National Fajita Day make your taste buds happy with the sizzle that really satisfies. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices