2021 has finally arrived, and it’s a new year like no other. Let’s face it; the world remains in turmoil, and people are suffering. I’m approaching this new chapter with cautious optimism, and I look forward to the day that we can hug, travel, and spend time together again. These long months of social distancing have not been easy, but time at home has also been a blessing. Time to read, relax, and just be still. Time to really think about my life and the people in it. Long phone chats and Zoom happy hours have strengthened my relationships with the most important people in my life. There’s no event to rush off to, no plane to catch. There’s time now.
Time at home has also changed my relationship with wine. As a wine writer, most of my professional tasting experiences revolved around a rollercoaster of wine events. It had become entirely normal to attend several tastings a week, sometimes 3-4 events a day. It was exhilarating and exhausting. Now that I taste wine at home, I don’t feel rushed. I do miss the camaraderie, but drinking at my own pace has improved my tasting skills. The best wines often need time to evolve in the glass, and being able to take that journey of taste from the comfort of my sofa, has reminded me why I love wine so much.
More than anything, I’ve learned not to wait for a special occasion to open a beautiful bottle of wine. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? And the right wine can add a bit of magic to a long day at home. I know that we just wrapped up the holiday season, and many bottles of bubbly were popped on New Year’s Eve. But why wait? I’m a big fan of sparkling wine and pop open a bottle at least twice a week. I may be wearing black yoga pants instead of a little black dress, but bubbly adds a touch of glamour to takeout and Netflix.
I’m such a fan of sparkling wine that I recently moderated a panel, New York Bubblies for New Year’s Eve, for the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. It featured sparkling wines from five great New York producers: Buttonwood Grove Winery, Channing Daughters Winery, Damiani Wine Cellars, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard/Standing Stone Vineyards, and Lakewood Vineyards. When it comes to sparkling wine, NY really does have it all: Pét-Nat, traditional method, local hybrid grapes and international varieties. Click here to learn more and watch the tasting.
I’ve also had the pleasure of sipping some fantastic Champagnes over the past few months. If you’re looking to treat yourself, I highly recommend sips from Champagne Ayala, Champagne Leclerc Briant, and Champagne Lanson. Stay safe and drink well!
