Try January
It’s January, it’s cold and dark, and as the new year arrives many of us are thinking about what we want to change in the coming months. New year's resolutions must be one of the most unsuccessful human endeavours. New year, new me, right? Well, not very often. It’s more new year, new ideas, but you’re a little tired, and you just want to sit on the couch and maybe watch a box set, but nothing too high brow.
But that’s ok. 2020 was, as far as years are concerned, a veritable dumpster fire. Not much to write home about and if there was, you’d be in to receive the letter because you were stuck inside. The collective apathy for the year ahead is keenly felt, so this isn’t a time to be too hard on yourself. Rather than resolutions to regiment a change in your ways, let’s be more suggestive. Take my own “resolution” – play more chess. Of course, I’m going to give it a good go. I own a board so that’s a good start. I know what the little guys do and have a vague grasp on what the Knight can do as well. But if I falter in my quest to appear in my own version of ‘The Queens Gambit’ (apparently, I’m still on the sofa), then at least I tried and if I found some fun in the journey; it will be a success.
At the end of day (year - in this case) aren’t resolutions about enjoying life a little more? If I’m healthier, I’m happier; If I can run a marathon, life will be more entertaining (somehow); if I read more, my own story will be well written. Resolutions are about trying on the new, seeing how it looks and feels, and smiling more, so this year Vintners, why not join us in a spot of Try January.
Yes, you read that right. Try with a T. We’ve heard of Dry January too, but that one isn’t quite our style. 2021 is the year of living more. Try new things, discover, see what the world has to offer, and take the joy that comes with it.
Take wine. Do you consider yourself adventurous? When was the last time you tried a lesser-known grape? Have you, for example, had a bottle of Agiorgitiko? (If you’re not sure what that is, find out here). How about that time you tried a Pinot Noir, and it was too light for your taste, so you wrote off Pinot Noir altogether? You were wrong to do that; that bottle just wasn’t for you.
Therein lies the beauty of Try January. It’s your chance to explore the new and see what the undiscovered has to offer. If you love it, great, you’ve added something new to life that makes your heart beat faster! And if you don’t, also great, at least you tried, and your smile can be a knowing one.
Over the course of this month, we’ll be looking at our favourite alternative wines, the less well known, but equally delicious, and in many cases, tastier tipples, to open your world of wine a little more. So, if you’re reading this, and you don’t get our emails, sign up now, and if you’re reading this because of an email, well, it worked - so I’m happy.
As for resolutions, if you enjoy life more by the end than you did at the start, you did it well. Resolve to live more, to learn more, and to laugh more.
And as for my chess. I’ve always thought an excellent Sauvignon Blanc goes well with a pawn cocktail.