Have you dropped your New Year's resolutions yet? See the wine goals that several Decanter team members have set for themselves for 2018, from 'drinking smarter' to visiting the wine regions of China and Georgia...
Do you have any wine-related New Year’s resolutions? Let us know in the comment section below this article.
Decanter team’s New Year’s resolutions
John Stimpfig Editorial
My main wine resolutions for 2018 are probably not that dissimilar to 2017 – namely to be more disciplined in pulling corks on mature wines in my cellar and to drink more sweet wines generally.
Most recently I had two stunning stickies – both DWWA Golds in the form of Domaine Tourbillon from Swizterland and Baileys Liqueur Muscat from Glenrowan. This year, I’d love to visit Bierzo and certainly plan to drink a lot more Mencía, which has really come onto my radar in the last couple of years. I’d also like to spend some time in Piedmont, as it has been far too long since I was last there.
Vahan Agulian Tastings team
This year, like every year, maintaining good health is on the top of my list of resolutions. Dry January is all the rage in our current clime, but I’m going to drink smarter and look out for lower alcohol wines instead! An 8% German Riesling can be as much as half the ABV in comparison to some big bold reds.
‘I’ve been itching to go to Georgia for years, because it’s been labelled the birthplace of wine!’ – Vahan Agulian
On top of that, I’ve been itching to go to Georgia for years, because it’s been labelled the birthplace of wine! Tasting the platinum DWWA award-winning MaranuliI Otskhanuri Sapere leapfrogged any other plans to go and explore their unique wines and grape varieties. Furthermore, I’ll be able to fulfil my penchant for Khachapuri, a cheesy style pizza that has a beautiful affinity to this wine.
Natalie Earl Tastings team
I would like to discover the enticing wines coming out of the Champagne region – that aren’t sparkling! Having recently tasted Olivier Horiot’s stony, briny, beguiling Coteaux Champenois Riceys Blanc En Valingrain 2010, it made me realise Champagne is not just about bubbles.
I’m going to be looking out for some real gems both from the rare Rosé de Riceys appellation and Champagne’s other still wine appellation, Coteaux Champenois, which can be red, white or rosé.
James Button Digital editorial & tastings
My 2018 resolution is to diversify my wine drinking. Not only do I want to buy more wines from exciting producers — such as David & Nadia Sadie in Swartland and Mac Forbes in Victoria — but also to enjoy older bottles in my collection, which I might otherwise be tempted to leave indefinitely or forget about. There’s no time like the present!
Is this the year to raid your cellar? ‘There’s no time like the present!’ – James Button
Simon Wright Tastings team
Taking my cue from the title of our venerable publication, in 2018 I will be making a concerted effort to decant more wines. I was reminded over Christmas how useful this can be, particularly with younger wines, when a 2014 Coonawarra Cabernet really started to express itself after some rather vigorous back-and-forth decanting. The added complexity and vibrancy you can achieve is easily worth the couple of minutes it takes to get results.
What’s more, I won’t even need to dust off the fancy vessel hiding in the back of my cupboard, using any old jug does the trick equally as well and saves on the (impossible) task of trying to clean/dry an actual decanter.
Ellie Douglas Digital editorial
One of my resolutions for 2018 is to eat out less, but better – and take better advantage of the exciting food scene in London. I tend to read all the restaurant reviews, and make an ongoing list in my head of ‘places I need to try’, but ultimately I never get round to trying them.
Decanter.com‘s Ellie Douglas plans to hit more London wine bars, like Blanchette in Soho perhaps?
This year the list will be a physical one, so that I can tick them off, or just set myself a monthly target.
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Sylvia Wu DecanterChina.com
Over the past two years, my studies towards the WSET Diploma have introduced me to a universe of alcohol styles, including fortified wines and spirits, which I had hardly encountered before. In the new year I’d like to gain more in-depth knowledge on these high alcohol beverages.
I would also love to explore more New World regions in California and Australia — and of course the up-and-coming wine regions of China. In 2017 I had a fascinating trip to Ningxia with our columnist Jane Anson; Xinjiang will be the next on my list!
