Vinous resolutions

Menhir Tre Lune Salento Malvasia Nera, Italy 2007. Photo / Babiche Martens

On the verge of proposing the same old timeworn resolutions that I'd been making for decades, this year I thought it would be more fun and even fruitful if every guest at my New Year's bash wrote a suggestion for someone else. Drawn from a hat after the midnight hour, some were not for taking seriously but others may well encourage a few friends to explore pastures new.

Inspired by this, here are some wine-related ones to consider:

Drink less but better

Following the excesses of the festive season, many of us will have resolved to drink less. But for you bon viveurs, this doesn't have to be an ascetic avenue if what you do drink is superior stuff. Instead of choosing a couple of bottles of something cheap in your weekly wine shop, buy one better bottle at their combined price. Drink it slowly as it'll offer more to savour, and in the process you'll be doing your liver a favour.

Try something new

It's easy to slip into sticking to tried and tested wines, be they from a certain grape variety, region or producer. But it's far more exciting to keep exploring new grape varieties, regions and even countries, so try at least one new wine every month to expand your vinous horizons.

Go on a course

If you've a thirst for more knowledge, then signing up for a wine appreciation course is a great way to gain a better understanding of what's in your glass and increase your enjoyment of a variety of wines. A number of excellent ones are being run, covered in more detail in next week's column.

Start a cellar

As wine is constantly evolving in its bottle, tracking its progress over time is a fascinating endeavour. While most wines are made for immediate consumption, many structured reds and longer-lived whites, such as riesling, are worth laying down. Choose a quiet, dark spot for your stash where temperatures are cool and constant and consult your local wine merchant or a wine guide on which bottles to buy.

Take note

Remember the wine that wowed you so much that you thought you'd never forget it? It's probable that its name escapes you now, making taking down the details of wines you enjoy a good habit to get into. Invest in a dedicated notebook or create a file on your PDA. And if you've got time, jot down some of its characteristics too as this will help cement it in your memory and build a mental database of flavours and aromas that can turn you into a more astute taster.

Explore a wine region

With most of us living under a couple of hours away from our nearest wine region, familiarising yourself with your local vineyards is an easy and enjoyable day trip away. It's also informative and fun to make wine one of the focuses of travels further afield, whether within the country or abroad, where it can be a great way to get in touch with a country's culture and people.

Don't skip dessert

We may be emerging from the season of over-indulgence, but steering clear of stickies is to miss out on some of the finest wines. Open a bottle with your pudding, or just enjoy a glass by itself. A new agreement with the UK means the Brits can now get their sticky fingers on our great local examples, so we need to make sure there's enough appreciation of them here to ensure they don't all end up overseas.

So what resolution did I end up with for 2010? Well, some wag-of-a-chum decreed that I should eat more chocolate, a resolution I've a decent chance of realising at last.


New flavours

New region
Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris 2009
$22.95

The Kapiti Coast may be better known for its wildlife than its wines, but the impressive inaugural release from Ohau Gravels is creating a buzz about the country's newest winegrowing region. Its elegant and creamy textured pinot gris has rich tropical fruit and a suggestion of sweet marshmallow balanced by a fresh lemony acidity.
(From www.ohaugravels.co.nz)

Foreign flavours

Menhir Tre Lune Salento Malvasia Nera, Italy 2007
$17.90

Travel to Italy to find the ripe robust reds that our climate could never deliver. This earthy and full-bodied beauty made from malvasia nera, is like liquid black cherries dipped in bitter chocolate.
(From wine stores including Wine Vault, Point Wines, Wine Circle, La Vino.)

Unmissable dessert

Alluviale Anobli, Hawkes Bay 2008
$40

This outstanding sweet sauvignon is to die for with its luscious layers of honey, fig, marmalade, spice and greengage, finishing on a cleansing grapefruit note.
(From Liquorland, Maison Vauron and Caro's.)