The Ultimate New Year’s Resolutions for Wine Lovers
Resolutions for the new year. Why do these always seem like limitations, restrictions? For wine lovers, a resolution can actually enhance the upcoming year. Like learning a language or sport, wine offers growth when considered to be an important hobby, capable of delivering a new layer of enjoyment around every corner.
If you’ve got your notes open or journal out, scribbling plans for the weeks and months after the ball drops, here are our wine-focused resolution suggestions.
Drink better wine
Let’s start with how to define ‘better’ — this translates to more pleasing to you. The price tag, label, scores, reviews, or friendly opinions matter much less than how the wine fits into your life, and how much you like it. Resolve to discover wines that charm your favorite takeout dish, rather than settling for a cola in a styrofoam cup. Pay more attention to certifications earned and values expressed by the producers from which you choose to buy. Identify wines in your price range that are versatile enough to make you feel satisfied when you sit down for dinner. Get to know your options and find bottles that elevate your own wine experience.
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Try low alcohol wines
Some people opt for a dry January, others just cut back, others ignore the trend and drink as usual. One way to consume mindfully is to pay attention to the alcohol level in the wines you drink. You probably know this, but this tidbit is included on every wine bottle sold in the U.S., so it’s always a glance away. Look for ABV (alcohol by volume). Standard table wines can range from 5.5% to 16%, so finding wines with lower percentages means you can enjoy that glass of wine while taking in less alcohol.
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Drink mindfully
Around the world, many cultures treat wine as food, part of the dinner ritual and enjoyed in moderation. This approach encourages slow and mindful pairings, a dining experience that takes its time. This is a very enjoyable way to include wine in your daily life, but with a sense of thoughtfulness. "Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures," said Michael Broadbent, one of England’s most respected wine authorities. Keep this in mind when you pour, and see how it feels.
Take some action
How about a checklist of resolutions? Check out our post with a few things you can do this year to kick your wine enjoyment up a notch:
- Pop More Bubbly
- Visit More Wine Bars
- Read More Wine Books
- Drink More of the Classics
- Build a Basic Wine Cellar
- Host An At Home Wine Tasting
Perhaps our favorite resolution is to get out of your comfort zone. Have the courage to order a glass of wine with a name you can’t pronounce, or to drink from a country that’s never been on your radar. Approach wine with a sense of open mindedness and discovery, and 2022 will offer many wine riches. No “giving up” anything required! Above all, enjoy it. Kick it off its pedestal, because wine is meant to be shared among friends, enjoyed with food, and add pleasure to your life.