What's New In 2025?

I read an article the other day saying that nearly 9 million people took part in Dry January last year - an extraordinary number given that, when launched in 2013, there were 4,000 participants.  Whilst we respect that each individual makes their own choice whether they drink or not for a month, in my humble opinion, January (and February) are the months you do want to drink given it's a pretty gloomy time of year. 

So next year, perhaps look at Try January - where you sample different grape varieties or styles to those you'd normally drink.  Or simply make 2025 the first year you drink less but drink better.  Cut down the number of days or units you drink each week, but make each drink a better quality.  Balance in every part of our lives is more beneficial than going full on for a few months and then cold turkey for a while.  But, as I say, each to his/her/their own.

We generally spend the first few weeks of the year sampling lots of new wines so we can freshen up our list.  On the agenda this year are a big refresh of South Africa, with a new specialist agency coming on board; more English wine (both fizz and the fast improving still wines) - although we still have the bug bear of some English producers selling direct from their own websites at prices that mean merchants can't make a proper retail margin (and we don't work on big margins in this industry); extra Beaujolais - these light, fresh, juicy wines are now firmly back in fashion; plus a Return to Oz - to visit friends and see what exciting new wines the country has to offer (which should be plenty).

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2025.  Let's hope the UK and the world settles down a bit and that it's a happier, safer place this time next year.