After all the indulgences of the festive season, ‘Dry January’ has become as much of a tradition as squeezing into your sparkly New Year’s outfit.
However, I’m a firm believer in enjoying everything in moderation, and as we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to try something different, so I’m raising a glass to ‘Try January’ instead.
Greek wine is often overlooked, but it’s having a real moment right now, and it’s absolutely worth exploring. One of Greece’s most popular grape varieties is Assyrtiko, which produces fabulously zingy, zesty whites bursting with flavours of lemon, lime and crunchy green apple. It’s a fantastic alternative if you usually reach for Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Try: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Assyrtiko, £11
If you prefer a fuller-bodied white wine with lower acidity, then Gewürztraminer is a fabulous choice. This highly aromatic grape is commonly grown in Alsace, France and produces medium-bodied wines with perfumed notes of lychee, rose petals and ginger. It’s a perfect match for spicy, aromatic dishes such as Thai curry.
Try: Asda Extra Special Gewürztraminer Vin d’Alsace, £9
If lighter reds such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir are your usual choices, why not try Austria’s most planted grape variety Zweigelt instead. This light-medium bodied option is fresh, fruity and wonderfully easy to drink. It’s also a great food pairing wine and will work well with everything from a cheese board to a roast chicken dinner.
Try: The Society's Austrian Red, £9.95 from The Wine Society
For a bolder, more powerful red wine, Saperavi is a fantastic and intriguingly different grape variety worth looking out for. Hailing from Georgia, one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries where they have been producing wine for around 8000 years, Saperavi is unusual, as unlike most red skinned grapes, its pulp is also red, not just the skin. This results in a very deeply coloured wine with bold flavours of black fruits and spice- a great alternative if you usually reach for Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Try: M&S Found Saperavi, £11
About me
My name is Lisa, and I am a wine educator and writer based in Belfast. I have a passion for making wine both accessible and enjoyable and host a variety of informal yet informative wine classes in and around Belfast.
In March 2025 I published my first book, ‘The Divine Wine Guide’. This beginner-friendly guide covers everything you need to know about selecting the perfect wine for any occasion and is available to buy on Amazon as both a hardback and eBook.
