Skinny, happy & wise

In the same way that we are surprised by bad weather every winter in the UK and the arrival of Christmas every December, generally we feel optimistic at the start of January, eager to take down the decorations and resume normal service; about 3 days in we feel disheartened, bleak and utterly miserable. It’s good to take stock but I’m not sure how beneficial it is to embark on a punishing regime; it certainly doesn’t work for me: long dark days at low ebb need a small treat at the end to get me through and that, for me, is a glass of lovely wine.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Matt Kramer’s article http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/Matt-Kramer-25-New-Wines-to-Try-in-2017 about setting yourself the ‘learning’ challenge of discovering new wines and the author has compiled a must-try list that will take you out of your wine comfort zone (note: 4 of the 25 are from Italy and wines we stock). Madeline Puckette ‘certified wine geek’ and author of ‘Wine Folly – an Essential Guide to Wine’ writes a fantastic piece on her Wine Folly blog entitled ‘Wine is the secret to being skinny, happy and wise’ where she backs up each light-hearted point with hard evidence and it makes for an uplifting read http://winefolly.com/uncategorized/why-wine-will-make-you-skinny-happy-and-wise/
 
I say, cheer is not just for Christmas. I have a dear friend coming to stay next week and I shall pour her some of our wines from lesser-known grapes to try: Aglianico and Falanghina from near Naples in Campania, Arneis and Dolcetto from Piedmont and Sicilian Etna Rosso and Rosato made from Nerello Mascalese – I can guarantee she is going to have a great visit!
 
Italy is THE wine-producing country to discover this year: all those fabulous and esoteric indigenous grapes; if nothing else, you will have an idea where to go to on your next holiday/city break and what to drink when you get there. So, this January, learn something new (Italian wine), be sociable (it’s good for your health) and consider this: you don’t have to cut out, maybe cut down BUT make it count!

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