The perfect wine for New Year

November 30, 2021

It's already December.

I suddenly remembered that in the past, I was teased by someone who said, "Iwasu is busy in December," and I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing. I truly hope that December 2021 will be like that. I hope to be busy working at both the restaurant and the wine shop.

That said, well, it's inevitable that there will be no demand for year-end parties for the second year in a row, given this trend. December may be another year of empty weekdays. The extremely difficult period of running a restaurant will continue for a while.

But even if the opportunities to go out drinking have decreased, I would like people to enjoy a nice glass of wine at home or at their parents' house at least during the New Year holidays. I would be grateful if you could accompany your New Year with wine, as we pray for the disappearance of the coronavirus.

So today, I would like to think a little about "wine that is perfect for New Year's."

If things continue as they are, I think this year will see more people returning to their hometowns for the New Year holidays than last year (of course, I'm sure there are still some people who are cautious and avoid meeting others. I'm also worried about the Omicron strain...).

There are also scenes of meals with parents and relatives whom you haven't seen for a long time, and drinking at home with friends you haven't seen in a long time. With that in mind, what kind of wine would go well with such a table?

That's it!

"Sparkling, fruity whites, Pinot, sweet"

is.

That's not spot on at all!

But wine is a drink with so many variations, it can't be helped. Even narrowing it down to four is impressive! (Don't say it yourself.)

New Year's is an event where people with different values come together.

Parents and children, relatives, and people of all ages. Naturally, their tastes are completely different. Even with friends of the same age, the foods they eat on a regular basis are completely different.

The conversations that will unfold will mainly be about themes that are of greatest commonality among those there, such as "Was it crowded on the way?", "It's especially cold today," "It's gotten so big," and "I wonder when the coronavirus will be over."

So, the same goes for the alcohol you choose.

Wherever you need topics that everyone can understand, you need alcohol that everyone can understand.

"Understanding" here does not mean "knowing the brand" but rather "taking a bite and thinking, "Oh, this is kind of delicious."

For those who are accustomed to drinking wine, its diversity and depth make it an enjoyable drink, but for those who are not, it can be confusing and difficult to understand.

That is why the most suitable wines are those with the greatest common denominator that will not be disliked by people with different values. These are the "sparkling", "fruity white", "Pinot" and "sweet" wines mentioned earlier.

First of all, sparkling wine is a classic among classics. A fizzy drink is perfect for celebrations. The range of food that can be paired with it is almost endless. In particular, if you choose champagne or something made using the champagne method, it can really create a sense of luxury. It's also good that few people don't like it.

However, if you bring it and open it immediately, the cork may pop out and the contents may spill out. It's best to send it to the place where you're gathering in advance and have it chilled in the refrigerator the day before. (You can even specify the delivery address when ordering Bokumo Wine online! ←Of course.)

Next up are fruity white wines. For example, wines with a prominent fruity aroma, such as citrus or white peach, can leave a good first impression, even for those who are not familiar with wine, saying, "It smells great!"

When it comes to New Zealand wine, it's Sauvignon Blanc. I think it's good that there are few people who don't like it, from beginners to wine lovers.

And Pinot. This is Pinot Noir, a red wine with little astringency. There is a significant percentage of people who are not used to drinking red wine who say they can't handle bitter wines. However, if you drink Pinot, which has a soft astringency, even such people can easily enjoy it.

In particular, it goes well with meat dishes in general, so if you are planning to eat meat over the New Year holidays, trying pairing it with Pinot may make you realize, "Oh! So this is what wine and food pairing is all about!"

Finally, sweet wine. This is a choice based on my own experience. I once brought a sweet wine to my grandmother, who was born in the Taisho era, to celebrate the New Year, and she said, "I can drink this. It's delicious." Yes, there are many people of this generation who believe that "sweets are precious and luxurious."

The great thing about wine is that there are good products that can be adjusted to suit people who say, "I don't usually drink that much alcohol, but I can handle something sweet."

If you know someone who doesn't like sweet wines, prepare some blue cheese. If you drink sweet wine after blue cheese, you'll definitely be impressed and say, "Wow! That's what I mean!"

This explanation is getting long, and I can't deny that it's just a common denominator, not the greatest common denominator, but if you have to choose just one, it's still "sparkling wine." Sparkling wine is the closest thing to being all-purpose.

Again, if you choose sparkling wine, it's best to send it the day before rather than carrying it with you. (When ordering Bokumo wine online, you have to specify the delivery address...! ← I'm being persistent.)

Oh yes, there is one important thing to note about New Year's and wine.

That is, herring roe, a staple of the New Year's feast, should never be paired with wine. Sparkling, white, red, or rosé are not allowed. If you drink wine after eating herring roe, the awful fishy smell will dominate your nose.

It's like when an older relative asks a long-time single person at a New Year's gathering, "Are you married yet?" It's a real mood-breaker. It's something you shouldn't do, so please remember that (though if you do try, feel free to do it).

So, although it's a busy December, make sure you prepare your wine well and have a great new year.

Iwasu, I want to look more like December!

Recommended wines for New Year

Now I'll start promoting myself, but I'll include links to recommended wines for each of the categories mentioned in the article: "sparkling," "fruity white," "pinot," and "sweet."

[Sparkling]

Osawa Wines Prestige Collection Methode Traditionale Brut NV