The Romans got it right about January. The month is named for the Roman god Janus who, as you may recall, had two faces. One face looked back at the past year, and the other, forward to the New Year. What could be more appropriate as we approach January 1, and a new beginning? Thoughts of new beginnings are often expressed in terms of New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions remind us of the mistakes we have made that we pledge not to repeat, and of the opportunity to be a better person in 2005 than we have been before. If we are wine lovers, or desire to be, perhaps some wine resolutions would be appropriate also. We have thought about our own wine experiences of the past year, and based upon that reflection, and the wishes of Frugal’s wine guys for our customers, here are some suggestions.

• Keep a log of the wines you drink in 2005. Note labels, years, prices, vintners, and add your own tasting notes.
• Open a wine soon after you buy it. Many times customers buy something the wine guys recommended and don’t get around to opening it until weeks later. By then, the wine is often sold out and no longer available.
• Try some of the lesser known wines you’ve heard about, but have never tried: Malbec, Mourvedre, Carignane, Pinotage, Viognier, Primitivo, and Cabernet Franc are just a few of the possibilities.
• Invest more in your wine drinking experience. This might involve building or buying a wine cellar, purchasing Riedel glasses, or acquiring a fancy wine opener. Those things add to your overall enjoyment of the grape.
• Be more adventurous. Try wines out of your usual price range, or maybe some blends you’re not familiar with, or a wine you tried before and think you don’t like. My first Shiraz was inky and awful and I thought all of them were like that. What a pleasant revelation to discover how mistaken I was!
• Resolve to learn more about wines in 2005. There are many ways to accomplish this goal. One is to buy a book. We recommend The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil. Another is to plug into a good free wine website. One of our favorites is Robin Garr’s, at www.wineloverspage.com.
• Decide to celebrate life more in the New Year. That means drinking more Champagne, Prosecco, Cavas, and Amarone. If you don’t know about these, please ask. Some of life’s greatest pleasures are at your fingertips if you will just reach out and enjoy.
• Resolve to introduce yourself to one of the wine guys at Frugal’s and tell him what you like and dislike, and see what happens. This is free, and absolutely without obligation, but we’re surprised at how many people never think to do it.
• Resolve to be more selective about the wines you serve at parties. Believe me, the Frugal guys can put you onto some very reasonably priced wines that most people have never tasted and will love. For a host, there is no greater joy than wowing your guests with wines that cost you less than $15 (some under $10). Yes, it can be done! Try us!
• Finally, we hope you will resolve to do business with a store where the staff knows wines; respects your tastes and your pocketbook; never tries to sell you something for any reason other than your wine pleasure; and where Jeff, Jerry, Jack and Bob are always available to help you with your wine resolutions. Whether you are looking back to past mistakes, and missed opportunities, or looking ahead to unknown pleasures, we hope you will make Frugal’s your wine store in 2005.