Another year is upon us and it's time, once again, for making serious resolutions!
Unusually, an excess of food and drink did not pile on the pounds this Christmas, so the recurring "Must lose weight" is not my #1 resolution for 2022, although work is still required in that department.
I think I'm going to try to make improvements; little by little, small changes that, when added together, make a difference.
Better quality food at lower prices... more "home-made" than shop bought. The way prices are going at the moment that might not be so easy to accomplish, so perhaps the old "drink less, drink better" formula is more achievable.
Who needs "Dry January" anyway? It's actually the perfect time to try out some special wines, that just possibly could make these colder months a little more enjoyable, but don't over do it, quantity wise.
I've been hearing rumours of a wine sale coming next month. It might not happen, but if it does, there's no reason not to grab some bargains... you can drink them in February!
Why not sign up for receiving weekly emails so you don't miss out on hearing when the sale starts? All it takes is an up-to-date email address entered in the "subscribe" box at the bottom of the page.
Another way to achieve good health is to exercise more. I feel a "reward" is required to get most people out of the house/office at this time of year, so a targeted approach will be necessary. Set a weekly goal and, if you smash it, make sure you open a really good bottle at the weekend. You only live once!
A gentle jog is fine, but definitely don't take to renewing your gym membership (unless you absolutely want to, of course), because they'll not take kindly to you "rewarding" yourself. All work, sweat and no play.
My final resolution isn't about me, it's all for YOU.
It should be on everyone's "to do" list for the new year.
Can you guess what it is?
Make Riesling the #1 choice of wine in the UK.
A very hard thing to achieve, but worth striving for, I'm sure.
Sounds daft, but the hordes of "Savvy" drinkers don't know what they're missing. Just one sip of a beautiful New Zealand Riesling, such as Two Rivers Juliet, will be enough to convert almost anyone from "chasing the deal" in supermarkets, to a whole new (and old) world of options. It only takes one... tell your friends!
The wine: New World/Old World, dry or sweet, full flavoured and citrus/tangy, or delicate and floral, Riesling can offer such variety.
If you like wine, and I'm sure you do, it should be made compulsory to at least taste some before committing to buying a case.
Before Christmas, I happened to open the last bottle of 2011 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhof Riesling Kabinett
Don't worry about pronouncing the name; as they say, just make an attempt, at least you tried.
What a wine, ten years old, but so fresh to drink.
Low in alcohol, so more healthy (ask your doctor!), minerally textured with delicious, mature fruit flavours.
So, forget the diet, make it your #1 resolution to drink Riesling in 2022.
Happy New Year!