Noche De San Juan: Celebrate With the Right Glass of Wine

Summer is only a few months away. Devotees will again celebrate the reverence of Puerto Ricans to Saint John the Baptist in Puerto Rico and other Puerto Rican communities in America. 

Noche de San Juan is celebrated before the start of summer. And with commemorating the devotion of believers come celebration with water, food, and of course, drinks.

What is Noche De San Juan?

Noche de San Juan is celebrated on the 23rd day of June. This event is the eve of the feast of the patron saint of Puerto Rico, the Dia De San Juan. Dia de San Juan is the celebration of the devotion of Puerto Ricans, who is San Juan Bautista. 

This celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year, or Summer Solstice. It is a fiesta that is usually celebrated along the beach, with a bonfire, food, and drinks. Tradition, legends, and magical rituals are performed during this night. It turns into a long-day event in Puerto Rico.

San Juan Bautista, or Saint John the Baptist, is celebrated around the world, but not any country can top how Puerto Ricans celebrate it. The city of San Juan in Puerto Rico is named after the patron saint, and many statues and monuments of San Juan can be found in the city. 

This event is celebrated along the beach, so people of all ages, including travelers, can get to experience the festivities. Of course, no parade or festivities are complete without food and drinks. This event can be enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine, red wine, or white wine.

Champagne 

Whenever celebrations and festivities are talked about, champagne will always come into a wine-lover’s mind. There is nothing quite like popping a bottle of bubble champagne to celebrate occasions – luxury style.

In 2018, there are over 301 million bottles of Champagne exported, and this number is rising. Champagne comes in different styles and price ranges, so you will always find a bottle that will suit your preference. 

The most known Champagne bottle in the world is Moët & Chandon, everyone’s staple Champagne bottle. Other brands are Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Nicolas Feuillatte, Laurent-Perrier, and Krug. 

Red wine

Wine and food should go hand in hand so that you will celebrate the fiesta without any blunder. And with red wine, it is best paired with the main course, such as meats, steak, ribs, and cheese.

The qualities you should look for in red wine are acidity, tannin content, and body. The acidity of the red wine should be balanced so that it will not interfere with your taste buds. On the other hand, tannin content is the measurement for the pucker that the red wine leaves in your mouth. Finally, the body refers to the alcohol content of red wine. 

The food that goes perfectly with red wine is seafood (shrimp, tuna, and lobster), steak, barbecue, spicy meats, pizza, burger, red-sauce pasta, cheese, and chocolate. Other than the food pairing, it would be best if you also remembered that red wine is best served in a wine glass with a wide opening and served at room temperature. 

The most notable expensive red wine bottles are Petrus wines. These wines from Bordeaux have high levels of tannins, but soft and smooth in texture. Search on Petrus Wines page to know the different bottles of Petrus wines you can try. If you cannot afford expensive bottles of Petrus wines, try cheaper alternatives, such as  Stoneleigh, Cloudline, Hogue, and Los Vascos. 

White wine

Unlike red wine, white wine is best served before the main course, or with food that is lighter on the stomach. Since white wine has a lighter taste than red wine, it will not interfere with your taste buds when eating your favorite dish in celebration of Noche De San Juan. The dishes that best pair with white wines are those with cream sauces, shrimp, and salads. 

The characteristics used in describing white wine  are creamy (smooth texture and acidic), round (smooth texture), crisp (slight acidity and fresh), okay (has a mild vanilla taste), and dry (there is no sweetness). 

It is also good to note that white wines should be served in wine glasses with narrow openings. These wines should also be served cold from the wine cooler, with a temperature of 49-55 degrees Fahrenheit. The bottles you can try are Domaine Francois Mikulski Meursault, Château de la Chesnaie, Cave de Lugny, Louis Jadot, Chimney Creek, and Kim Crawford. 

Takeaway 

Noche de San Juan is one of the most important events in Puerto Rico and other Puerto Rican communities in the USA. The carnival-like atmosphere along the beach during this night is one never to forget. Do not forget to enjoy the festivities with the right glass of wine.