As life in the New Year surges back to its normal high-stress level, I tame my tension with daily wine rations — its soothing qualities make me slow down and savor. If you need to (re)unite with your wine Zen, perhaps some 2010 resolutions are in order.
Resolution Number One
Go organic. Maybe the chemicals polluting our wine are polluting our minds. Support wineries making an effort to avoid the use of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides on their grape crops. Even though it’s more work, Bonterra, Benziger, Fetzer, Quintessa, and Robert Sinskey wineries all embrace winemaking the way it used to be.
Resolution Number Two
Attend at least one wine tasting per month. They soak your brain in vats of wine knowledge and train your tongue for its favorites. Buy at least one bottle of what you enjoyed and fill your wine rack.
Resolution Number Three
Start a wine diary. Ever mumbled to yourself in the store, desperately probing your overcrowded mind for that “oh-so memorable” wine you tried last week? Clear the blockage by noting great wines in an officially christened pad — or use your phone.
Resolution Number Four
Open sparkling wine just because. That exhilarating “pop” shouldn’t be relegated to special occasions. Life can be tough, and a little bubbly goes a long way to chase negativity from your mind. Italian Prosecco and Spanish Cavas make this resolution even easier — many are less than $12.
Resolution Number Five
Buy a decent corkscrew. Those that look like a flying nun with arms should go buh-bye. Splurge on a Screwpull or a “rabbit”-type opener — your wine life will improve dramatically, and cork will no longer appear in your glass. Or, if you want a real thrill, master the art of the Ah-So wine opener.
Resolution Number Six
Experiment with dessert wine. Quit shunning sweet, and down rich, delicious dessert wine instead of that calorie-laden chocolate cake (or, when feeling hedonistic, both). Late-harvest Riesling, Zinfandel, or ice wine, anyone?
Resolution Number Seven
Jump the Chardonnay and Cabernet ship. With hundreds of other grape varieties out there, it’s time to swim with the pros. Bold Zinfandel, refreshing Chenin Blanc, spicy Syrah, food-friendly Riesling, masculine Malbec, brawny Petite Syrah, and fragrant Viognier (especially in the spring and summer) are adored by wine geeks, and they want company. Bonus: Most are excellent values since the hordes are still stuck aboard the ship.
Resolution Number Eight
Use decent wine to cook with. Dump the flawed idea that you only cook with wine that’s already open — which also probably celebrated its one-year anniversary last week. Why would you want old, tired flavor in your food? Use fresh, tasty wine and you’ll taste the difference. Bonus: Open it while you cook and “test” it out.
Resolution Number Nine
Crack open a screw cap bottle. These days, screwing and unscrewing is cool. Since it’s a better closure to keep wines as fresh as intended, loads of premium wineries are riding the trend, especially those from New Zealand and Australia, where 90 percent and 65 percent, respectively, of bottles are now screwed — pleasantly so.
Resolution Number Ten
Open at least one bottle per month that you have been saving for “a special occasion,” even if it’s not. You could die tomorrow without ever having the pleasure of tasting that juice. Add friends and drink. Repeat as necessary. TYLER EASON
