Red Wine Day in the Office!

Red Wine Day is a simple excuse to bring people together, slow the pace for a moment and turn an ordinary afternoon into something a little more sociable.

But organising drinks at work is not as straightforward as choosing a few bottles and putting glasses on a table. Colleagues have different tastes, dietary requirements, schedules and relationships with alcohol. The best workplace celebrations recognise that from the beginning.

That does not mean making the event complicated. With thoughtful timing, easy food pairings and appealing alcohol-free choices, you can create a relaxed Red Wine Day moment that feels welcoming rather than exclusive.

Decide what kind of event you are planning

Start with the purpose of the occasion. Are you organising a short tasting, adding drinks to a team lunch, or creating an informal end-of-day gathering?

A clear format makes every other decision easier. For example:

• A 30-minute tasting: Choose two or three wines, provide small tasting portions and add simple pairing notes.
• A team lunch: Select one versatile red and give equal attention to alcohol-free drinks.
• An afternoon social: Keep the food informal, make the event optional and allow people to stop by without committing to the full session.

Once you know the format, confirm roughly how many people plan to attend. Ordering for the team you actually have helps control costs and prevents half-finished bottles and untouched food from becoming tomorrow’s clear-up problem.

Choose approachable wines rather than an enormous selection

You do not need a restaurant-sized wine list. A small, considered selection is easier for guests to explore and simpler for the organiser to manage.

You could choose contrasting styles—for example, one lighter, fruit-forward red and one richer option—or focus on a single variety and compare two regions. Add a short description beside each bottle so people know what to expect without needing any specialist knowledge.

Avoid turning the tasting into a test. The aim is to help colleagues discover what they enjoy, not to see who can identify the most tasting notes.

Add easy food pairings

Red wine is often associated with elaborate cheese boards, but office pairings can be much simpler. Choose food that is easy to share, does not require extensive preparation and works for a range of dietary needs.

A balanced table might include:

• Crackers, breadsticks and sliced bread
• Hard and soft cheeses
• Plant-based cheese or hummus
• Olives and antipasti
• Grapes, apples, pears or dried fruit
• Nuts and seeds, clearly labelled for allergens
• Dark chocolate or small sweet bites

Try to include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices as part of the main spread rather than separating them as an afterthought. Clear labels also save people from having to ask about every item.

Make alcohol-free drinks part of the event

An inclusive Red Wine Day celebration should offer more than water to anyone who is not drinking alcohol.
There are many reasons someone may choose not to drink, and none of them require an explanation. Alcohol-free wine, kombucha, sparkling water, botanical drinks and premium soft drinks can all make the table feel more complete.
Presentation matters, too. Serve alcohol-free choices chilled, use the same glassware where appropriate and display them alongside the wine. When every option receives the same care, choosing not to drink feels normal rather than noticeable.
It is also good practice to provide plenty of water and make all participation optional.

Your Red Wine Day checklist

Before the event:

• Confirm the format, time and expected attendance
• Ask about dietary requirements
• Select a small range of approachable wines
• Choose appealing alcohol-free alternatives
• Order savoury and sweet sharing food
• Label allergens and dietary options clearly
• Provide water, suitable glasses and napkins
• Make participation optional
• Plan for storage and leftovers

A thoughtful celebration does not have to be complicated

Red Wine Day can be less about the wine itself and more about creating an easy moment for colleagues to pause and connect.

A few considered choices: good food, equal alcohol-free options, inclusive timing and flexible quantities, can turn a themed day into an event that more of the team can genuinely enjoy.

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