'National Wine Day', May 25

NATIONAL WINE DAY – INTRODUCTION

National Wine Day is a light-hearted celebration of one of the world’s oldest and most enjoyed drinks. It is a chance to reminisce about social occasions, meals, holidays, celebrations and changing tastes through the decades.

For many people, wine brings back memories of weddings, anniversaries, dinner parties, restaurant meals, holidays abroad, Christmas gatherings and special evenings with friends and family. In the UK, wine drinking became especially popular during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, when famous brands such as Blue Nun, Black Tower, Mateus Rosé and Hirondelle became household names.

This makes National Wine Day an excellent theme for a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy session because it naturally encourages:

• reminiscence

• conversation

• sensory discussion

• humour

• social interaction

• decision making and preferences

• music and singalongs

The topic also links well to geography, farming, food and drink, travel, advertising, language and celebrations.

FACTS ABOUT WINE

Wine has been made for thousands of years and is produced in many countries around the world. Grapes are grown in vineyards and harvested before being turned into wine through a fermentation process.

Interesting discussion points:

• France, Italy and Spain are among the world’s largest wine producers.

• Red, white, rosé and sparkling wines are all made using different grape varieties and production methods.

• Champagne can only officially come from the Champagne region of France.

• The Romans helped spread wine-making across Europe.

• England now produces award-winning sparkling wines.

Activity ideas:

• Match wines to countries.

• Discuss favourite wine regions or holidays abroad.

• Name famous wine brands from the past.

FACTS ABOUT GRAPES

Discussion points included:

• Grapes can be eaten fresh or dried.

• Raisins, currants and sultanas are dried grapes.

• Grapes are used to make juice, jam and wine.

• Grapes grow in bunches on vines.

• Grapes can be dangerous to dogs.

Possible activity:

• Name foods made from grapes.

• Identify grape colours and varieties.

WHAT DO THESE WINE WORDS MEAN?

Vocabulary activity using words such as:

• Vintner

• Bouquet

• Full-bodied

• Decant

• Corked

• Sommelier

This works well as a confidence-building word and discussion game.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WINE?

Encourages conversation and personal choice.

Possible options:

• Red

• White

• Rosé

• Sparkling

• Sweet

• Dry

Food matching discussion:

• Cheese

• Steak

• Fish

• Pasta

• Chocolate desserts

• Sunday roast

LINK THE WINE TO THE COUNTRY

This activity encourages discussion about geography, holidays, culture, food and changing tastes over the years. Participants are invited to match well-known wines or wine regions to the countries they come from.

It is a gentle, confidence-building activity that works well because many people remember famous wine labels, holiday destinations or supermarket wines from earlier decades. The activity can also spark reminiscence about travel abroad, meals enjoyed on holiday and changing British attitudes towards wine.

Examples might include:

• Champagne — France

• Chianti — Italy

• Rioja — Spain

• Port — Portugal

• Riesling — Germany

• Shiraz — Australia

You can make the activity easier by using pictures of bottles, labels or flags, or more challenging by asking participants to discuss:

• Which countries are famous for wine?

• Which wines became popular in Britain during the 1970s and 1980s?

• Which countries did people first try wine in on holiday?

• Which wines are sweet, dry, sparkling or fortified?

The activity naturally encourages:

• memory recall

• conversation

• problem solving

• general knowledge

• reminiscence

• social interaction

It also links very well to discussions about:

• European holidays

• food and drink

• vineyards and farming

• famous wine adverts

• changing fashions and tastes over time

For many older adults, wine was once considered a luxury or “special occasion” drink, making the activity a useful way to explore how lifestyles and shopping habits have changed across the decades.

1970s WINES & PARTY FOODS

The 1970s was a decade when dinner parties, buffet spreads and “grown-up” drinks became hugely fashionable in Britain. Imported wines were becoming more widely available in supermarkets and off-licences, and many people were trying continental foods and drinks for the very first time.

For many families, wine still felt sophisticated and slightly exotic. Famous brands such as Blue Nun, Black Tower, Mateus Rosé, Hirondelle and Gold Label wine kits became very popular and were often associated with parties, anniversaries and special occasions. Decorative bottles — especially the round Mateus Rosé bottle — became iconic features on dining tables and sideboards throughout the decade.

At the same time, party food became more adventurous and colourful, with buffet tables filled with favourites such as:

• cheese and pineapple hedgehogs

• vol-au-vents

• prawn cocktail

• devilled eggs

• cocktail sausages on sticks

• quiche

• salmon mousse

• Black Forest gateau

• trifles and Arctic Roll

The rise of convenience foods also changed entertaining, with many hosts proudly serving foods that could be quickly prepared from packets, tins or the freezer.

This topic is excellent for Cognitive Stimulation Therapy because it encourages strong reminiscence and sensory memory. Many people vividly remember:

• their first taste of wine

• dinner parties with friends

• “posh” foods of the time

• buffet tables at weddings and birthdays

• favourite snacks and drinks

• songs played during parties and celebrations

Suggested discussion questions:

• Which wines do you remember from the 1970s?

• Did your family have dinner parties?

• Which party foods did you enjoy most?

• Which foods seemed sophisticated at the time?

• Did anyone make homemade wine or cocktails?

• What music would have been playing in the background?

This activity naturally encourages:

• conversation

• memory recall

• humour

• social interaction

• decision making

• discussion about changing fashions and lifestyles

It also provides a wonderful opportunity for singalongs using classic party music from the era.

SONGS, SKETCHES & COMEDY LINKS

Music, comedy and television clips are a wonderful way to bring a National Wine Day CST session to life. They encourage reminiscence, laughter, conversation and shared cultural memories while helping create a relaxed and sociable atmosphere.

Many people strongly associate wine with dinner parties, celebrations, television comedy, music and social occasions from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

CST SONG OF THE DAY – “Red Red Wine” — Red Red Wine

One of the best-known wine-themed singalongs, strongly linked to parties, pubs and celebrations.

Discussion prompts:

• Which version do people remember best?

• Did this song get everyone onto the dance floor?

• What music reminds you of parties from your younger days?

CST SONG OF THE DAY – “Lilac Wine” — Lilac Wine

A reflective and emotional song which encourages discussion about memories, feelings and favourite singers.

CST SONG OF THE DAY – “When I’m Sixty-Four” — When I'm Sixty-Four

A warm-hearted singalong about growing older, companionship and enjoying life.

“Absolutely Fabulous” Wine Tasting Sketch

Classic comedy moments from Absolutely Fabulous featuring over-the-top wine tasting, social pretensions and dinner party humour.

Discussion ideas:

• Did people sometimes pretend to know more about wine than they really did?

• Were dinner parties fashionable when you were younger?

• What made a party seem “posh”?

“Abigail’s Party” — Abigail's Party

Mike Leigh’s famous 1977 television play perfectly captures the atmosphere of 1970s suburban dinner parties, social awkwardness, drinks, cigarettes and attempts to appear sophisticated.

The programme is remembered for:

• flowing drinks

• cheesy nibbles

• awkward conversations

• popular music of the time

• social climbing and entertaining guests

Discussion prompts:

• Did anyone host dinner parties like this?

• Which foods and drinks were fashionable?

• Did people play records during parties?

• What would have been on your ideal 1970s party playlist?

“Life of Brian – What Have the Romans Ever Done For Us?” — Monty Python's Life of Brian

This famous comedy sketch from Monty Python links brilliantly to discussions about the history of wine because the Romans helped spread vineyards and wine-making throughout Europe.

The sketch humorously reminds us that the Romans introduced many things to Britain and Europe, including:

• roads

• sanitation

• public baths

• aqueducts

• and improved wine production and trade

This provides a fun link into discussions about:

• how long people have been drinking wine

• Roman food and drink

• vineyards and farming

• how wine travelled across Europe

It also adds humour and recognition to the session, with many older adults instantly remembering the famous line:

“What have the Romans ever done for us?”

“The Good Life” Homemade Wine — The Good Life

Links to 1970s trends for self-sufficiency, homemade wine kits and growing your own food.

Discussion ideas:

• Did anyone make homemade wine?

• What fruits were used?

• Did it taste nice?

• Which hobbies became popular during the 1970s?

SESSION BENEFITS

Using songs, comedy sketches and television clips helps:

• trigger long-term memories

• encourage laughter and confidence

• stimulate conversation

• improve social interaction

• support emotional wellbeing

• create shared experiences within the group

These familiar cultural references often unlock strong memories of celebrations, friendships, holidays, dinner parties and family life.