New Year Wine Resolutions 2018

[Ozzie W]

Time to leave the 2017 thread behind and start a new thread for this.

I've been thinking about what I want to achieve in 2018. The number one resolution that comes to mind is to get my cellar into a "steady state", where I'm removing (drinking) roughly as many wines as I'm adding (buying). I got approx. 250 bottles of spare capacity before my cellar is full to the brim, so I'm going to have to start removing a lot more bottles than I have been. I've got many Aussie Pinots and Etna's which don't need too many years of cellaring, so I think that'll be achievable.

Another resolution is to cellar more Champagne, which I started doing in earnest during 2017.

Merry Christmas to all the Auswine forumites!

[Scotty vino]

Hit the Barossa but try and avoid all the regular traps and hit up some lesser known and appt only places.
I usually get up there 2 times a year but I always end up at the same places. My PLAN is to put aside 3-4 days, go mid week and try to get some quality time with some wine makers. I've put the effort into the Clare Valley and Mac Vale in the past. Just need to do the same for the BV. It's the second closest and most popular region to me yet I've hardly touched the place compared to the aforementioned regions.

[Ian S]

Hi Scotty
I think there is a tendency for wine critics to just taste the same 'names' (though to be fair, the Aussie ones are perhaps less guilty than most). Getting out to a wine region and tasting some unknowns can really unearth some gems, and even producers with relatively modest means & aims can sometimes produce a wine that transcends them. It can also knock down the odd tall poppy in the process of comparing the tastings.

In Aus we've always just dropped in on cellar door, but does making an appointment give you that more in-depth experience you're looking for? It's certainly true for Italy, where appointments are the norm, and cellar door/tasting rooms are typically only typically seen in Chiantishire/Toscana.

Regards
Ian

[Rossco]

I think next year will be similar to last year, with the exception of buying less
and drinking more.

1. Balance up the cellar more - More whites, less reds
2. Start buying/cellaring Grower Champagnes (thinking of Veuve Fourny & Fils, Henriet-Bazin, Frerejean Freres, Hugues Godme ect)
- Would love some guidance from you all here.
3. Drink my overstocked/over-represented reds (which by the sound of it we are all guilty of)
4. Find more birth year magnums for my children (2012 & 2014)
5. Quality not quantity

[Luke W]

My resolution now I have retired is to not buy any more wine!! However it's been a resolution for about 5 years which I just can't seem to adhere to. My children will no doubt inherit a few thousand bottles when I leave this mortal coil.

[Mike Hawkins]

I think next year will be similar to last year, with the exception of buying less
and drinking more.

1. Balance up the cellar more - More whites, less reds
2. Start buying/cellaring Grower Champagnes (thinking of Veuve Fourny & Fils, Henriet-Bazin, Frerejean Freres, Hugues Godme ect)
- Would love some guidance from you all here.
3. Drink my overstocked/over-represented reds (which by the sound of it we are all guilty of)
4. Find more birth year magnums for my children (2012 & 2014)
5. Quality not quantity

Vilmart, Pierre Peters, Gimonnet, Hebrart, Diebolt Vallois, Charlemagne, Bara, Camille Saves, Goutorbe are all worth considering

[Rossco]

Vilmart, Pierre Peters, Gimonnet, Hebrart, Diebolt Vallois, Charlemagne, Bara, Camille Saves, Goutorbe are all worth considering

Thats fantastic, cheers for that. I will seek them out

[Chuck]

Drink more shiraz and blends. and more new single malt whiskeys - just so many different flavours; really exciting.

Carl

[Ian S]

Ok, here's 2018 plans, a few new ones, some satisfied enough to be dropped and others still there.

Aussies & NZ
 Keep an eye out for : Delatite Riesling, Primo – Moda, Joseph SRS, or anything else from them, Alkoomi Wandoo if still made, Houghton Jack Mann
 Explore Aussie Nebbiolo
 Te Mata Elston
 Explore ‘new’ trends but with a hard focus on the more elegant / radical end of the spectrum
 Best’s reds

Italy
 Try more Cascina degli Ulivi, & La Biancara. Or other more radical natural producers
 More Timorasso
 More Fumin
 Vino Santo from Trentino
 Taurasi, but avoiding high oak/alcohol
 More northern Piemonte Nebbiolo-led wines
 Try another Lacrima Morro d’Alba
 A bottle or two of Brachetto
 Cantine Del Notaio reds, rose or sweet wine
 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
 Isole e Olena Syrah
 Top up the ‘value’ nebbiolo from a local merchant

ROW
 Keep the Ch Lamartine Cahors topped up, including the odd magnum
 A little more Pinon sparkling Vouvray
 Occasional German Riesling
 Vinho Verde esp. from Soalheiro
 Sidonio di Sousa – reserva or Garrafeira
 Re-expand to explore a few more countries than last year
 Explore France a little more via a trip there
 Try a Xinomavro or two from Greece
 Keep trying Mencia wines

Generic
 Audit the cellar, mostly to re-order the ready to the top, and the unready to the bottom
 Keep up the low-key exploration of natural wines. Especially from Kofra coffee shop.
 Keep the buying of very old wines in check
 Organise a local tasting
 Don’t forget to open the occasional bottle of Port
 Don’t forget old favourites
 A few more Cab Franc / Cab Franc-led wines
 Some Pomerol and some French sampling from a trip over there

[tarija]

1. Buy in lots of 2 or 3. For wines for sampling or drinking now, only buy 1 bottle.
2. Have a net reduction in cellar size.
3. Avoid mid-range wines (except for Burgundy and Bordeaux, where top of the range is ridiculous).
4. Skip Barolo 2014, with a couple of exceptions (even if good, have already bought a lot of 2010-2013...need to draw the line somewhere and let bank account heal).
5. Stick to mainly buying a group of 10 or so producers (to save money...this will be hard/require discipline)
6. Go through cellar, and get rid of stuff I'm not that keen on drinking...the calories have to be worthwhile, and cellar space is expensive.
7. Continue to avoid hyped-up 96/97 point wines with no pedigree from Australian wine critics...this is a quick way of getting a cellar full of random wines.
8. On the exploring side, continue to explore more xinomavro, agiorgitiko, mavrotragano, saperavi, melnik, mavrud, and Etna from the homelands.
9. No random cellar door purchases in Australia.
10. Drink the good stuff all the time, ie no quaffers. Quaffers are a waste of calories and money.
11. Try to let go of favourite producers if price gets too high.
12. Skip white wine and save money - drink great (Belgian/German) beer instead.

[Mike Hawkins]

1. Buy in lots of 2 or 3. For wines for sampling or drinking now, only buy 1 bottle.
2. Have a net reduction in cellar size.
3. Avoid mid-range wines (except for Burgundy and Bordeaux, where top of the range is ridiculous).
4. Skip Barolo 2014, with a couple of exceptions (even if good, have already bought a lot of 2010-2013...need to draw the line somewhere and let bank account heal).
5. Stick to mainly buying a group of 10 or so producers (to save money...this will be hard/require discipline)
6. Go through cellar, and get rid of stuff I'm not that keen on drinking...the calories have to be worthwhile, and cellar space is expensive.
7. Continue to avoid hyped-up 96/97 point wines with no pedigree from Australian wine critics...this is a quick way of getting a cellar full of random wines.
8. On the exploring side, continue to explore more xinomavro, agiorgitiko, mavrotragano, saperavi, melnik, mavrud, and Etna from the homelands.
9. No random cellar door purchases in Australia.
10. Drink the good stuff all the time, ie no quaffers. Quaffers are a waste of calories and money.
11. Try to let go of favourite producers if price gets too high.
12. Skip white wine and save money - drink great (Belgian/German) beer instead.

I utter point 2 every year, and despite selling hundreds of bottles, always seem to end up with a net gain.

[rens]

For 2018, I would like to continue buying some more Italian wine and look seriously at some more German Rizzers.

[Mahmoud Ali]

1. Buy in lots of 2 or 3. For wines for sampling or drinking now, only buy 1 bottle.
2. Have a net reduction in cellar size.
3. Avoid mid-range wines (except for Burgundy and Bordeaux, where top of the range is ridiculous).
4. Skip Barolo 2014, with a couple of exceptions (even if good, have already bought a lot of 2010-2013...need to draw the line somewhere and let bank account heal).
5. Stick to mainly buying a group of 10 or so producers (to save money...this will be hard/require discipline)
6. Go through cellar, and get rid of stuff I'm not that keen on drinking...the calories have to be worthwhile, and cellar space is expensive.
7. Continue to avoid hyped-up 96/97 point wines with no pedigree from Australian wine critics...this is a quick way of getting a cellar full of random wines.
8. On the exploring side, continue to explore more xinomavro, agiorgitiko, mavrotragano, saperavi, melnik, mavrud, and Etna from the homelands.
9. No random cellar door purchases in Australia.
10. Drink the good stuff all the time, ie no quaffers. Quaffers are a waste of calories and money.
11. Try to let go of favourite producers if price gets too high.
12. Skip white wine and save money - drink great (Belgian/German) beer instead.

Regarding:
No.2 - have been trying that for years, to no avail.
No.6 - impossible, I'm keen on trying everything I thought of cellaring.
No.7 - never did buy hyped-up wines with no pedigree, why would one?
No.8 - these grape varietals are from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy, but where is "Mavrotragano" from?
No.10 - quaffers are necessary for picnics, pot lucks, and dance parties, why give up on life?
No.12 - white wines include Champagne, Sherry, Alsatian and German wines, Chablis, Hunter Semillon, Vin Santo, Sauterne, Tokaji, and a whole host of other wines. Again, why give up on life, seafood and shellfish?

Cheers ............... Mahmoud.

[tarija]

Regarding:
No.8 - these grape varietals are from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy, but where is "Mavrotragano" from?
No.10 - quaffers are necessary for picnics, pot lucks, and dance parties, why give up on life?
No.12 - white wines include Champagne, Sherry, Alsatian and German wines, Chablis, Hunter Semillon, Vin Santo, Sauterne, Tokaji, and a whole host of other wines. Again, why give up on life, seafood and shellfish?

Cheers ............... Mahmoud.

8. Mavrotragano is a red from Santorini; is quite uncommon. Keen to try more of these varietals that are struggling to survive, yet are potentially high quality.
10 and 12. Am trying to reduce wine spend, so sacrifices need to be made somewhere. Can't have it all. I also prefer red to white. So, choosing to sacrifice buying of quaffers (bring a wine I already have in my cellar) and buying of white wine (a lot of my favourite beers cost a fraction of the price of the white I would buy).

[Con J]

2018 will be much the same as 2017.
The main focus will be on Burgundy, Barolo, Barbaresco then Brunello and old Aussie Fortified.

Cheers Con.

[mjs]

2018 will be much the same as 2017.
The main focus will be on Burgundy, Barolo, Barbaresco then Brunello and old Aussie Fortified.

Cheers Con.

Con,
I trust that there will be opportunities to enjoy your focus! Happy New year
cheers, Malcolm

[mjs]

Hit the Barossa but try and avoid all the regular traps and hit up some lesser known and appt only places.
I usually get up there 2 times a year but I always end up at the same places. My PLAN is to put aside 3-4 days, go mid week and try to get some quality time with some wine makers. I've put the effort into the Clare Valley and Mac Vale in the past. Just need to do the same for the BV. It's the second closest and most popular region to me yet I've hardly touched the place compared to the aforementioned regions.

Scotty,
I really recommend this approach. Over the last five years our group has probably been to more than 90 Barossa/EV CDs, yes, some big names, but also many of the obscure, esoteric, passionate, even bizarre as well. There is so much to experience, taste, see and eat. Our choice is necessarily three day weekends, couple of times a year, with organised appointments/tastings, normally six to seven of us including a couple of us from interstate, plus a driver. In addition to the camaraderie, it has really opened me up to the Barossa (which says something, being born and bred in Adelaide myself). There are lots of folk in the Barossa doing some great stuff, producing some really interesting and enjoyable wines. Get into it and enjoy.
cheers, Malcolm

[Con J]

2018 will be much the same as 2017.
The main focus will be on Burgundy, Barolo, Barbaresco then Brunello and old Aussie Fortified.

Cheers Con.

Con,
I trust that there will be opportunities to enjoy your focus! Happy New year
cheers, Malcolm

Hi Malcolm.

I'm sure we'll both get to focus on some these wines.

Cheers Con.

[JamieBahrain]

I didn't think I'd contribute this year. Though after pondering I think I will make two.

- Buy as much Piedmont wine as I can justify and cellar in Australia. Especially the obvious wines that will not be affordable in 10 years or so. Average wines are always obtainable so I'll just backfill from the market when neccessary and use the funds to buy high end stuff.

- Showcase Australian wines better than has been done with my wine group. Start putting together interesting verticals- St Henri is my next.

[phillisc]

Get the cellar sorted...its a f*cking mess!
Buy less Wynns but more from other Coonawarra makers
Seek out small vale for money makers, Gomersal Wines in the Barossa today, prime example, 3 great Shiraz, all sub $50!!
Get the 02/12 Riesling tasting done, 100 bottles and counting...but look at more international Rieslings
Visit more wineries
Probably more...
Cheers
Craig

[Ian S]

I didn't think I'd contribute this year. Though after pondering I think I will make two.

- Buy as much Piedmont wine as I can justify and cellar in Australia. Especially the obvious wines that will not be affordable in 10 years or so. Average wines are always obtainable so I'll just backfill from the market when neccessary and use the funds to buy high end stuff.

- Showcase Australian wines better than has been done with my wine group. Start putting together interesting verticals- St Henri is my next.

Hi Jamie
Have you tried them with newer styles / producers? There is a danger that even 'comparatively elegant' St Henri, might still feel like just another big Aussie red. Maybe a 'new varieties' tasting including Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Aglianico, etc. or a '50 shades of Shiraz', ranging from a Parker SA favourite, through a more restrained (e.g. Best's) classic, Hunter shiraz, Clonakilla SV and something in the new wave of lighter alc% e.g. Adelina.

There are a few obvious Piemontese examples, e.g Bartolo M, Burlotto, even Prod del B where prices will I'm sure move upwards (the former the most likely to go silly). Plenty of stuff that doesn't get mentioned regularly on certain wine forums, so shouldn't have the need for emergency buying. Personally I'd rather buy what feels value, and if the likes of G Rinaldi, Roagna etc. have increased as they have, I don't especially care if they'll probably go yet higher, as I'm planning to drink them. I worry sometimes that Northern Piemonte is on people's horizons, as I'm not sure it's ready for (or would justify) the hype yet. Some good wines and a few great ones, but I'd rather see steady re-emergence.

Regards
Ian

[brodie]

A few key resolutions

1. Drink more of the cellar treasures - 2018 is our combined 60th birthday year
2. Severely reduce the wine buying
3. Sell some wines I am not drinking that need to be drunk

Brodie

[JamieBahrain]

I didn't think I'd contribute this year. Though after pondering I think I will make two.

- Buy as much Piedmont wine as I can justify and cellar in Australia. Especially the obvious wines that will not be affordable in 10 years or so. Average wines are always obtainable so I'll just backfill from the market when neccessary and use the funds to buy high end stuff.

- Showcase Australian wines better than has been done with my wine group. Start putting together interesting verticals- St Henri is my next.

Hi Jamie
Have you tried them with newer styles / producers? There is a danger that even 'comparatively elegant' St Henri, might still feel like just another big Aussie red. Maybe a 'new varieties' tasting including Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Aglianico, etc. or a '50 shades of Shiraz', ranging from a Parker SA favourite, through a more restrained (e.g. Best's) classic, Hunter shiraz, Clonakilla SV and something in the new wave of lighter alc% e.g. Adelina.

There are a few obvious Piemontese examples, e.g Bartolo M, Burlotto, even Prod del B where prices will I'm sure move upwards (the former the most likely to go silly). Plenty of stuff that doesn't get mentioned regularly on certain wine forums, so shouldn't have the need for emergency buying. Personally I'd rather buy what feels value, and if the likes of G Rinaldi, Roagna etc. have increased as they have, I don't especially care if they'll probably go yet higher, as I'm planning to drink them. I worry sometimes that Northern Piemonte is on people's horizons, as I'm not sure it's ready for (or would justify) the hype yet. Some good wines and a few great ones, but I'd rather see steady re-emergence.

Regards
Ian

Hi Ian,

The St Henri vertical goes back to the 70's and they are truly elegant dry reds. The misconception in Hong Kong was St Henri is an early drinking wine- Grange being the cellaring red! So as per my NY resolution, I'm on track here to present Aussie wines at their best.

I get the angle where you are coming from though I'd prefer we get some basics right before branching off. I've mixed and matched before, not so easy to do especially with vintage variations. New Wave styles are not by thing in a formal and structured tasting. For $300 I can have a multi- coursed dinner with an amazing vertical say of St Henri or BP or Riddoch or some other established wine with pedigree. Now a hippy tasting with some bloke who grows barbera in the Vales or tempranillo in the Hunter will cost $200, be a bit of a yawn in comparison and I won't fill the event!



Hahaha. Piedmont. It's on the move. I was offered a case of every Produttori Riserva 2013 up 35% on last year's release ! Burlotto is up as well- that's not including the hyped Monvigliero. I was offered a buy back on some pre-arrival 2013 already with prices up considerably. Please, please let the noise of Burgundy EP calm this down.

I've also been approached to be an ambassador for Piedmont to drive a massive push into the mainland and locally through a number of the organizations in Alba. I cringed at first, but then felt my own access to these wines even better and a good way to enjoy the region more.

Emergency buying is essential Ian. Now I go to the region twice a year and I know there's is an amazing transformation creating the most exciting wine region in the world. They have the vineyards and they have the motivation. Technical now-how is improving massively. There's room for everyone.

But, want to drink G Conterno still? Mascarello's? Rinaldi? Buy them now they are going to sky-rocket. Geez, I can get two Cru Barbarescos for the price of a Rockford Basket Press- and these makers are just now getting some attention and wine making practices are improving. The region is grossly undervalued.

[Ozzie W]

Thought I'd revisit this and see how I'm going.

I've been thinking about what I want to achieve in 2018. The number one resolution that comes to mind is to get my cellar into a "steady state", where I'm removing (drinking) roughly as many wines as I'm adding (buying). I got approx. 250 bottles of spare capacity before my cellar is full to the brim, so I'm going to have to start removing a lot more bottles than I have been. I've got many Aussie Pinots and Etna's which don't need too many years of cellaring, so I think that'll be achievable.

Consumption to date for 2018 = 111 bottles
Purchases to date for 2018 = 225 bottles

So adding roughly twice as much as I'm removing. Not quite the "steady state" where I wanted to be. I either need to drink more or buy less.

Another resolution is to cellar more Champagne, which I started doing in earnest during 2017.

I've purchased 11 bottles of Champagne so far in 2018. Last year I purchased 35. Need to buy more Champagne!

[winetastic]

The only way I achieved a steady state was filling the cellar

[Chuck]

Remember there's no such thing as too much wine.

[Ian S]

Time to see if I can be relied on to stick to a plan

Aussies & NZ
 Keep an eye out for : Delatite Riesling, Primo – Moda, Joseph SRS, or anything else from them, Alkoomi Wandoo if still made, Houghton Jack Mann (got 2x 2014s)
 Explore Aussie Nebbiolo
 Te Mata Elston (none, but have spied some at a decent price, so it might happen)
 Explore ‘new’ trends but with a hard focus on the more elegant / radical end of the spectrum
 Best’s reds
Poor showing, but unless actively seeking them out, access can be a problem. An own label Tyrrells Hunter Semillon picked up to try – though I hate own labels, as it hides what the wine actually is.

Italy
 Try more Cascina degli Ulivi, & La Biancara. Or other more radical natural producers
 More Timorasso A 2014 Coppi ‘Fausto’
 More Fumin (2 Ottin, including one picked up today)
 Vino Santo from Trentino (1 Gino Pedrotti and 1 Giovanni Poli)
 Taurasi, but avoiding high oak/alcohol (1 Luigi Tecce, plus nearby Nanni Cope from Volturno)
 More northern Piemonte Nebbiolo-led wines (3 Mirù Ghemme. a modest producer who we have a great affinity for, plus 3 of their Vespolina – happy days)
 Try another Lacrima Morro d’Alba (yes a Luigi Giusti Rubbjano, which I couldn’t really make my mind up about – I think these might be ‘right mood’ wines)
 A bottle or two of Brachetto (yes, but my first dry one – Sottomano’s Maté)
 Cantine Del Notaio reds, rose or sweet wine
 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (1 Valdipiatta, but chuffed to find 2x 2013 Crociani Riserva today, a favourite producer)
 Isole e Olena Syrah
 Top up the ‘value’ nebbiolo from a local merchant (not done this and it’s vying with the Eslton for the next purchase)
Was somewhat missing the target here, though some more Nosiola, four Etna wines, a Moscato Rosa, a couple of bottles of cellaring Verdicchio and a couple of Langhe Nebbiolo wines are purchases I’m happy with. Surprisingly more on track without actually referring back to the plans! Also very happy to grab another 2 bottles of San Patrignano Avi, a project it’s great to support, but the wines is fine value in its own right. A couple of Hauner wines, an Anselmi from Soave region, another Timorasso, a 2015 Cavalotto Langhe Nebbiolo, plus a real Lambrusco, round out a surprisingly ‘on theme’ result.

ROW
 Keep the Ch Lamartine Cahors topped up, including the odd magnum (2 more 2012s)
 A little more Pinon sparkling Vouvray (1 from 2012)
 Occasional German Riesling (2 plus a spatburgunde)
 Vinho Verde esp. from Soalheiro (none, but might be getting some from the same place as the Elston)
 Sidonio di Sousa – reserva or Garrafeira
 Re-expand to explore a few more countries than last year (sampling from Georgia, Armenia and Croatia)
 Explore France a little more via a trip there (very strong result here, with Chinon, Cabardes, Jurancon, St Nick de Bourgeuil, Cornas, Savenniere, Cote-Rotie amongst more usual purchases of Pomerol, Pouilly-Fuisse, Alsace Riesling). Also a bl**dy good slab of pate from St Omer market – following the principle of joining the longest queue worked wonders, where I also saw someone paying for their sausages with a cheque!
 Try a Xinomavro or two from Greece Ha! Hadn’t been actively looking, but picked one up this week
 Keep trying Mencia wines
A couple of Musar 99s and a bottle of their new Levantine Red, three cheaper Bordeaux Reds and a couple of bottles of Rioja weren’t in plans, but I’m happy to have bought them. A couple of bin-ended Fromm Syrah wines less so. Add in another couple of Luis Pato wines (white and red), a couple of halves of Ridge Geyserville, a couple of Graciano wines and a Carinena (Carignan) from Aragon

Generic
 Audit the cellar, mostly to re-order the ready to the top, and the unready to the bottom
 Keep up the low-key exploration of natural wines. Especially from Kofra coffee shop. Yes the Carignan above a Chilean Pais, plus a rebuy of a subtle pet-nat
 Keep the buying of very old wines in check (it won’t last you know!)
 Organise a local tasting
 Don’t forget to open the occasional bottle of Port (sadly a 1966 I’d been waiting to open with friends was leaking badly, so got opened before we could meet up).
 Don’t forget old favourites (I guess the Musar comes in here)
 A few more Cab Franc / Cab Franc-led wines Not just the Chinon and Bourgeuil, but also a Languedoc rendition
 Some Pomerol and some French sampling from a trip over there (loads of Pomerol, keeping the brains of the operation happy!)
 Buy more half bottles. Added in later, definitely need more, but a couple of Trimbach CFE (2011) & Mas de Daumas Gassac (2010) have made a start

Actually, not too bad, but some clear targets for next two purchases

[Ian S]

The only way I achieved a steady state was filling the cellar

It works, and I suspect for most of us it's the only thing that works

[mjs]

The only way I achieved a steady state was filling the cellar

It works, and I suspect for most of us it's the only thing that works

There's an echo at our joint, but I think I am going further and overfilling the cellar, judging by a few cases sitting on the carpet behind me as I type this

[Ozzie W]

As the year nears its end, it's time to see how I went.

I've been thinking about what I want to achieve in 2018. The number one resolution that comes to mind is to get my cellar into a "steady state", where I'm removing (drinking) roughly as many wines as I'm adding (buying). I got approx. 250 bottles of spare capacity before my cellar is full to the brim, so I'm going to have to start removing a lot more bottles than I have been. I've got many Aussie Pinots and Etna's which don't need too many years of cellaring, so I think that'll be achievable.

Consumption to date for 2018 = 173 bottles
Purchases to date for 2018 = 268 bottles

I won't be buying any more wine this year and I'll probably remove a half-dozen or so for the festive season.

Not quite the "steady state" I wanted. Roughly 1.5 bottles added for each bottle consumed. Purchases down 25% on previous year and consumption up 25%, so at least I'm heading in the right direction.

The only way I achieved a steady state was filling the cellar

It works, and I suspect for most of us it's the only thing that works

I expect to be full to the brim at some point next year, so the steady state will be forced upon me.

Another resolution is to cellar more Champagne, which I started doing in earnest during 2017.

I bought 40 bottles of Champagne in 2018, up from 25 the previous year. However, many are non-vintage so I won't be cellaring them long term.

Now I need to figure out what I want to achieve next year. I'll start a new thread for 2019 in due course.