I'm not too fond of New Year's resolutions; they are easily made and just as easily broken. But, most resolutions aren't designed with fun in mind. We hope to break the pattern with 17 resolutions to broaden your wine horizons. It's fun!
1. Expand Your Palate
Commit to trying a new varietal each month. Explore beyond your usual preferences, like sampling Albariño, Nero d'Avola, or Blaufränkisch.
2. Master Food & Wine Pairing
Experiment with pairing wines to your meals. Start simple with classics like Chardonnay with roasted chicken, then branch into adventurous matches.
Then, try non-traditional pairings and try wine with unconventional dishes like spicy Thai food, sushi, or burgers.
3. Explore Local Wineries
Plan to visit at least one winery monthly, focusing on hidden gems or small, family-run vineyards in your area. Check out Wine By Appointment's recommendations.
4. Host Wine Tasting Parties
Organize a monthly wine night with friends. Pick a theme such as "Wines of France," "California Cult Wines," or "Budget-Friendly Bottles."
5. Learn the Lingo
Dedicate time to understanding wine terminology and tasting notes. This will enhance your confidence when discussing wine or visiting tasting rooms.
6. Keep a Wine Journal
Document your experiences with each wine. Note flavors, aromas, and your impressions. This can help refine your preferences over time. There are some great journals available through Amazon (of course).
7. Take a Wine Course
Enroll in a wine certification program like WSET (Wine and Spirits) or a local wine appreciation class to deepen your knowledge and expertise. Check out the offerings on Udemy or Wine Folly.
8. Drink More Sustainably
Support sustainable, organic, or biodynamic wineries. Seek out wines with certifications like SIP (Sustainability in Practice) or Demeter.
9. Build a Wine Collection
Start curating a personal collection of wines you love. Learn about proper storage and consider aging a few bottles to savor later.
10. Travel for Wine
Plan a wine-focused getaway. Visit renowned regions like Napa Valley, Tuscany, or Burgundy, or New York's Fingerling Lake area or Oregon's Willamette Valley.
11. Blind Taste Like a Pro
Practice blind tasting to sharpen your palate. Challenge yourself and friends to identify wines by varietal, region, or vintage without looking at the label.
12. Dive Into Sparkling Wines
Explore the world of sparkling wines beyond Champagne. Try Prosecco, Cava, Crémant, or lesser-known styles like Franciacorta (my personal favorite) and Lambrusco.
13. Support Small Producers
Make it a goal to purchase wines from small, independent wineries. Research their stories and support their craft.
14. Learn About Wine Regions
Each month, focus on a specific wine region. Study its climate, soils, and notable producers, and try wines from that area. This may sound as dry as dust, but try it. You may get hooked.
15. Cook with Wine
Use wine creatively in your cooking. Try recipes like coq au vin, risotto with white wine, or a rich red wine reduction sauce.
16. Try Vertical Tastings
Experience the evolution of wine over different vintages by organizing a vertical tasting of your favorite producer or varietal.
17. Start A Food and Wine Group
Start a food and wine group and alternate hosting with friends and family. Choose a theme based on a wine and make dishes to compliment it. A great way to learn about wine and food.