A new year influences reflection, inspires change, and can open our mind to new ideas. A new year is an excuse to try new things.
At Argaux, we’re wired to seek out the lesser known, and introduce you to something you’ve never experienced before, but learn to love. After all, that is what life is all about isn’t it? Discovery.
We like to shake things up and we try not to stick to the same routine day in and day out. The new year has us thinking about cooking, how to feel better about a glass of wine a day, and how we’ll continue to maintain and grow relationships in an ever changing social landscape. How can we enrich our lives and better ourselves? Are they one in the same?
Call the following what you want, whether that be trend predictions or perhaps they are new year’s resolutions. Maybe we’re manifesting what we want out of 2022. All we know is that there’s more bubbles and less hangovers in our future.
For us, it starts with the belief that food & wine is at the heart of living joyously. Surprise, surprise 😉 But if you’re reading this, we think you might agree…
- Cooking Club – The New Book Club
We started thinking about book clubs, although it can be more about the wine you bring than the book you read, it’s a reason to gather, socialize, and discuss various viewpoints on specific subject matter. It brings people together to share perspective, learn new things, and it sparks interesting conversation. Replace “book” with “cooking” and you have a space for like-minded foodies or newfound homecooks (thank you, Pandemic) to showcase their favorite recipes, swap advice on easy appetizers for the Super Bowl, and connect with those who have a shared interest. It’s a dine-in experience and an opportunity to exercise both a desire to cook and entertain. With the subject matter being food, everyone can relate and the benefits of attending Cooking Club are sure to keep your tastebuds happy and inspired all year long.
- Low-Alcohol – Forget the Hangover
We’re not here to claim that drinking an entire bottle of low-alch wine will prevent a hangover, but it can certainly help! When you go for a glass of wine almost every day like we do, you want to make sure that you’re drinking quality wine made by real people who care about the process in which their product is made. Wine in moderation can have many benefits and a hangover is not one of them. Opt for wine below 13% ABV or alcohol by volume and see what difference it makes on how you feel an hour later, or the next day. You don’t have to give up wine to feel better about your consumption. Being mindful about alcohol % can mean a better relationship with wine. It becomes less about the buzz, and more about how it can complement your meal or create space in your day to tap into your senses; a moment to appreciate what’s in the glass, how it was made, and the story behind the producer and where the wine came from. Shop some our curation of favorite low-alch wines here.
- Bubbles – No Matter the Occasion
If we’ve learned anything throughout quarantine and the Pandemic, it’s how precious life is. If you weren’t able to have your wedding, throw a blow-out birthday party, or celebrate a big win for a friend or family member because we were on lockdown, you had to learn how to celebrate in some “small” way without all the people, the music, dancing and dress-up. We’ve learned to appreciate life’s simple pleasures, and how to make a night at home feel special. We’ve learned to celebrate the small wins and if anything, we’ve been reminded that life is short…So, pull the cork on that bottle of wine you’ve been holding onto, waiting for that special occasion. Today is the occasion. Now, we preface “Bubbles” with the monolog because sparkling wine (namely Champagne) tends to be synonymous with toasts and NYE. Prosecco or Cava is for your Mimosas at brunch. But 2022 is the year when a glass of Champagne as your aperitif, or perhaps as your preference throughout dinner, becomes a lot more frequent. We’re campaigning for bubbles this year – Not only Champagne, but the world of sparkling wine from Lambrusco to Franciacorta. There is a lot of ground to cover from fun food pairings to sparkling wine inspired cocktails too. The perfect Champagne flute is also something we’re keeping our eyes open for…
- Search for Sustainability – The Single Bullet
We vet the wines we source heavily before bringing them to you. What are the boxes any given wine must check? Although it is different for every wine depending on resources and where in the world we are, sustainability is something we take seriously and something we search for in the wines we source and represent. It’s something we continue to educate ourselves on as consumers and business owners. Co-founder Margaux recently wrote an essay titled, Long-Term Sustainability and a Carbon Neutral Wine Industry. She interviewed several winemakers from our portfolio on the topic. Below is an excerpt from Nicole Rolet, owner and principal at Chene Bleu winery in the southern Rhone Valley.
Thinking about the big picture, Nicole explained that if we were to stop using cars, producing electricity, and eating meat, the best case scenario would be stopping the destruction that is currently happening. However, she believes that “agriculture is our single bullet.” She goes on to explain that “agriculture is the only human activity on the planet that will not only stop the destruction of climate change, it will actually reverse the damage because it has the capacity to suck existing carbon out of the atmosphere.” Agriculture needs to be a net absorber of carbon, not a net producer of carbon. She believes that our single priority should be to convert the planet to sustainable agriculture, “managing the water, air and soil in a thoughtful way. In theory, if everyone did that, we would be in a very good place.”
As a company, we are asking all the questions and want to ensure that we are doing our part to educate our consumers, ourselves, and present the highest quality products made by real people working towards sustainability in farming and winemaking.
- Sport in Style
2022 is the year of more athleisure and a desire to get outside and stay active, all while having fun. We say, ‘GAUX PLAY APRÉS and sport in style this year:
- ‘GAUX Golf with Par Fore The Course Sauvignon Blanc and sport Nike x Argaux Golf Gear
- PLAY Tennis with Paumiste Rosé
- APRÉS Ski with (Coming January 20th: Mark Your Calendars!)
