Why January is the Best Month to Step Outside Your Wine Comfort Zone
Why January is the Best Month to Step Outside Your Wine Comfort Zone
As the month when people traditionally reset their routines and make a fresh start, January is the perfect time to try new wines. Long, slow winter evenings are also the perfect opportunity to dive deep into wine exploration. Why not try a rare grape variety like Assyrtiko, Tannat, or Blaufränkisch? Or pick up a bottle from a place you’ve never tasted before, like New York’s Finger Lakes or Texas Hill Country.
Highlights:
Swap your favorite grapes for alternatives, such as Tannat or Algianico instead of Cabernet Sauvignon and Roussane or Garnacha Blanca instead of Chardonnay
Travel via your glass by embracing wines from emerging wine regions like Texas Hill Country and Virginia or small Old World gems like Portugal’s Douro Valley and Basilicata and Sicily in southern Italy
Expand your palate by committing to trying a new wine every week
Host wine tastings on a specific theme like New World vs Old World wines or Cabernet Sauvignon around the world
The best wine styles to explore in winter are richer, heavier styles which feel comforting during the coldest and darkest days of the year. These wines also pair well with the hearty dishes we crave in winter, like earthy stews, slow-cooked meats, and rich sauces. January is also the best month to try new varietals that push you beyond your old favorites:
If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, look out for Tannat or Aglianico for intense, powerful reds with plenty of structure.
Pinot Noir fans can check out Gamay, the French grape used for light and fruity Beaujolais, and other juicy reds like Austrian Zweigelt, Mencia from Spain, or Frappato from Italy.
Swap out your Syrah or Shiraz for a punchy red Mourvèdre or Monastrell which offer similar intensity and enticing savory notes.
Chardonnay lovers can switch it up with Viognier, Roussanne, or Garnacha Blanca for a fuller bodied white wine with tropical notes.
You’re probably familiar with Napa, Sonoma, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. But have you tried wines from the Sierra Foothills, Texas Wine Country, or Virginia? Here’s some lesser-known regions to expand your palate in January:
California’s Sierra Foothills are known for bold Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and hearty red blends.
Finger Lakes in New York produces bright and beautiful Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Texas Hill Country has a growing reputation for top-notch Mediterranean-style Tempranillo, Viognier, and Mourvèdre.
Virginia is another up-and-coming state for Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Viognier.
Italy is packed with exceptional small regions and indigenous grapes that most Americans never try, such as Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Aglianico from Sicily, Basilicata and Calabria down in the south.
Portugal is another ancient winemaking country that’s well worth exploring for its punchy Touriga Nacional grape and red blends from the Douro Valley.
Here’s a few fun ideas to challenge yourself to discover new wines and step outside your comfort zone.
Change up your drinking habits by choosing one rule to break. For example, if you’re a red wine drinker, challenge yourself to only drink white wines for a week. Or if you normally go for hearty Napa reds, commit to trying wines from other states like Oregon and Washington or other global wine regions like Bordeaux and Tuscany.
You can take this a step further by picking a theme and hosting your own wine tasting. Dive deep into a specific region, a certain grape variety, or simply ask friends to bring a bottle they’ve never tried before! Just remember to take notes so you can keep track of your new favorites.
Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
Old World vs New World: Compare traditional European styles with their New World counterparts, such as a classic French Bordeaux paired up with a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.
Around the World with Cabernet Sauvignon: Discover how just one grape can have a completely different character depending on where it’s grown.
Blind Tasting: Cover the labels and taste without expectations and bias. Make sure to include a range of price points and grape varieties, and prepare to be surprised when you reveal their true identities at the end!
Vintage Comparison: If you’re a real wine geek, look out for a few different vintages of the same bottle and explore how weather conditions can create a completely unique character year on year.
The easiest way to try new wines in January is to commit to buying one bottle each week that you’ve never tried before. Perhaps try a grape or a region you haven’t heard of before, or pop into a wine store and ask for a personal recommendation.