Heading into the New Year, our mantra is three words - Learn. Try. Explore. While New Year’s resolutions can be a tad cliché and oftentimes tough to keep, we believe it’s important to set goals and keep the wine knowledge coming! That’s why we’re sharing some nontraditional wine resolutions for all of our imbibers out there.
If you're trying to cut down on your alcohol intake this month, there are still plenty of ways that you can learn about wine, like trying a new wine trivia game or picking out a bottle as a gift.
No matter where you’re at along your wine journey - beginner or seasoned wine drinker - there are always new varietals to explore, pairings to try, and flavor sensations to experience. Here are 11 wine-inspired New Year’s resolutions to take your wine game to the next level.
1. Try a new kind of wine
We’re starting off easy. If you’re a harcore red drinker, consider throwing a new white into the mix. If you usually stick to the classics, perhaps give Rosé or sparkling wine a try.
2. Explore wine from a different country
Whether you’re intrigued by the intricacies of Portuguese wine or inspired by the vineyards of Italy, tasting wine from a new country is a great way to broaden your wine horizons. It’s also a great way to virtually travel and learn more about the culture, whether that be the climate, history, traditions, or cuisine.
Looking for a real challenge? Try a new-world wine and an old-world wine.
3. Try a wine you can’t pronounce
Sometimes we shy away from things that feel foreign or uncomfortable, but oftentimes these experiences offer the most growth! Trying a wine that you can’t pronounce will make you feel in total control of your wine experience.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started - Zweigelt, Viognier, Beaujolais, Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer.. we could do this all day.
Wine vernacular can take some getting used to, but it’s nothing to be intimidated or embarrassed by. If you mess up, who cares? We sure don’t - that’s what learning is for.
If you’re really looking to improve your wine vocabulary, subscribe to our newsletter, Glass Half Full. We always include a wine word of the day, complete with an audio file pronunciation so you’re always growing your arsenal of wine words.
4. Try more diet-friendly wines
For those who want to change their eating habits this year, diet-friendly wines are more common than you think. It takes a bit of researching, but we’ve found the right wines that fit into paleo, Meditteranean, keto, DASH, and other strict diets. We’ve even rounded up our favorite low calorie wines.
5. Explore pairing wine and food
Pairing wine with food is a great way to train your palate and experiment with new combinations. Plus, the whole family will appreciate a warm homemade meal!
Ease your way into pairing with a simple weeknight dinner. You may think you need to throw a fancy dinner party with family and friends or splurge on a five course meal, but it doesn’t need to be that structured for you to expand your wine knowledge. Start small, and learn as you go.
6. Take the Bright Cellars quiz
Do you prefer dark chocolate or something sweet? Tea or coffee? If you haven’t already, taking the Bright Cellars’ quiz is a great way to understand your taste. Our advanced algorithm then uses this knowledge to pair you with custom wine selections, delivered right to your door.
7. Host a virtual wine tasting
We may be stuck inside… but on the bright side, we’re stuck inside with wine! Get a few of your closest friends together and dust off the old Zoom for a virtual happy hour or virtual wine tasting. Just make sure to coordinate ahead of time and agree upon a bottle or two to try.
If you’d like to host a Bright Cellars’ sponsored virtual event, get in touch with our Wine Concierge team at concierge@brightcellars.com and they’ll point you in the right direction.
8. Upcycle a wine bottle into decor
Put your empties to use with a DIY wine craft. Turn your wine bottles into a candle with this DIY tutorial. Wine bottles also make excellent vases that serve as stunning centerpieces when filled with pampas grass, wheat grass, or feathers.
9. Gift someone wine
There truly is no gift like wine. And when you gift a bottle you selected yourself, the sender will feel the love! Not sure where to start? Take a look at our gift-giving guide for inspiration.
This year, let’s pay it forward and take every opportunity we can to share wine with our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors (safely, of course!). Bright Cellars’ gift packages make great gifts for birthdays, special occasions, and “just because” surprises.
10. Make a wine cocktail
Mulled wine, spritzers, punch, Manhattans, red wine hot chocolate. The cocktail list goes on and on. You can even make a wine cocktail with tea! Tune into our newsletter, Glass Half Full, for ongoing wine cocktail inspiration.
11. Flex wine knowledge on your friends
If you’ve got it, you might as well flaunt it. We all know the feeling of silent victory you get when you crush a trivia question. Let’s do more of that in real life! Share wine articles with friends, compare flavor notes as you taste wine together, or quiz each other with wine trivia. Flex your wine knowledge on your friends and encourage them to get involved in the world of wine too.
In Vino Finito
With resolutions come accountability, so if you’re looking for someone to guide you through this year from a wine perspective, we’ve got you covered. If you’d like to add an adventurous bottle to your next box or look into virtual events, send our Wine Concierge Team an email at concierge@brightcellars.com and we’ll help however we can!
What’s your wine resolution for the New Year?
