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Ask a Wine-Know: New Year's Resolutions
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Anonymous user Tue Jan 9, 2007 13:09:13 PST
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0 responses 0 comments I thought we needed to have a column with a New Year’s theme, so instead of responding to a question from readers, I decided to ask a number of fellow wine lovers this question:  “What New Year’s resolution about wine will you make?”
1. I will try a wine from a country whose wine I have never tried before, such as Austria or South Africa.
2.  I will try a California wine varietal I have never tried before. They are coming out with new ones all the time, especially the old Italian grape types.
3.  I will learn how to spell “vionay” (Aside from Ann: the correct spelling is Viognier)
4. I will drink more zinfandel — it’s easily the best value out there right now. Much more bang for the buck!
5. I will attend more wine tastings.
6. I will read a wine book if I get one for Christmas. I asked Santa for one.
7.  I will keep a bottle of champagne cold all the time. Who knows when there will be an occasion for celebration?
8. I will host a BYOB dinner. (Aside from Anne: Bring Your Own Bottle, he means.)
9.  Visit a winery tasting room.
10.  Join a wine club from a winery.
11. Drop the last wine club I joined. I belong to too many!
12.  I will wean one friend away from drinking only white zinfandel!
13.  I will go to the next tasting offered by my favorite wine seller.
14.  I will take a wine trip — Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, wherever — even if I have to arrange it myself.
15. I will cook with wine next month, maybe cioppino or beef bourguignon.
16. To not have my assets base quite so “liquid.”
17. To always try a new wine. Broaden your horizons, cha cha cha.
18. Go on a tour of Amador County wineries before they become too commercialized.
19.  Drink more wine this year.
20.  Drink less wine this year.
21. Try to get invited to a blind tasting so I can see what it’s all about.
22. Save my money to go to one of the big wine events like the New York Wine Experience or the Masters of Food and Wine.
23.  I’m going to Spain for my birthday, so I want to experience all the great Spanish wines. I will take notes for you. (Aside from Ann: Thanks!)
24. Take more friends to wine tastings this year.
25. Read Ann’s column this year, and learn what I need to know about wine. (Aside from Ann: Honest, that’s what she said.)
This is a good place to end recounting resolutions for your enjoyment. And, thought I, what is my own resolution about wine for the new year? Hmmm? I would like to cover and report on openings of new restaurants, wine bars, and wine shops in our city. Let me know when you first hear of some in case I miss out on any place. Thanks — we’ll keep each other informed.
This week, someone told me of a wine gift from one of the big discount food stores. I need to look into their wine offerings. I have never done that. So there’s my first resolution, ready-made.

Coming Events:
Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. Bakersfield Wine Society will be presenting Ortman Family Vineyards with the great Chuck Ortman as featured guest at the Petroleum Club. He is one of the most revered California wine makers and a funny, witty speaker. I love him, and you will too! The menu for the five-course dinner looks fabulous, the venue is beautiful. The price for all this is $79. There will be a chance to buy Ortman’s wines for take home at a discount. For more information or to make reservations, call Mike Stepanovich at 654-2456 or Harlan Shanklin at 472-0752.
Feb. 5 The prestigious Whitehall Lane Winery from Napa Valley will be the featured winery at a sumptuous dinner at Cafe Med. For more information, call Don at 834-4433.

E-mail Ann at: acierley@etcrier.net

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