Why Is Josh Wine A Meme? Twitter's Ironic Obsession With Josh, The American Wine Brand, Explained

Josh wine, a famous American brand, has recently become a meme, starting on Twitter / X and then spreading to the mainstream web.

For a human, the name Josh is already funny. So, when written in script on a fancy bottle, the concept of "sippin' on Josh" (instead of any other liquor) becomes increasingly funny. It only took one tweet for meme creators to recognize this irony. In 2024, every function will likely have Josh instead of Hennessy.

So, what was the original tweet that started the Josh wine meme trend and why is it resonating with so many people on the internet? Let's explain.

What Is Josh Wine?

Josh wine, also known as Josh Cellars, is an American wine company that was founded in 2007 by New York-based winemaker Joseph Carr. Named after Carr's father, Josh Cellars' growth has been historic, whereby late 2023, Josh became America's No. 1 premium table wine according to Vine Pair.

What's The Origin Of Josh Wine Memes?

Memes about Josh started this month when an X user named @OptimusGrind__ posted a tweet that many thought was cringe. He seemed to be bragging about drinking Josh, portraying it as a refined taste compared to other, budget wine brands like Stella Rosa and Barefoot.

Soon after he posted the tweet, he was ridiculed in viral quotes posted by other users on the platform. For instance, one user said that his tweet was "like someone driving a Hyundai making fun of a Kia driver."

Why Is Josh Wine A Meme?

Since the famous tweet garnered over 20 million views in less than a week, X users have not let go of the budding joke. It seems to resonate with people because of a few factors.

One, Josh is a popular, recognizable wine brand for many Americans. Two, Josh is an objectively funny name for a wine, personifying the seemingly elegant bottle. Three, many memes namedrop sharing beers with friends or bringing designer liquor brands to a party. Therefore, substituting Josh into meme and alcohol-related phrases like "Modelo Time" ("Josh Time") becomes inherently funny.

Whether it's sharing a Josh with a friend when they're down or proclaiming "Saturdays are for the Josh," many forms of this meme are possible.

For the full history of Josh Wine, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.