Include a New Hobby in Your Retirement Plan – Wine Appreciation
Include a New Hobby in Your Retirement Plan – Wine Appreciation
Particularly if you have retired, or your children have grown up and moved out, the constraints on your free time weren’t what they once were. Are you looking for a new hobby or interest now that you’ve finally got some spare time? One of the most popular new interests of people 55 and older is wine tasting. It’s fun and easy, and provides you with a great opportunity for socializing.
You may have noticed that your local grocery store is carrying a lot more wine than it used to. There are vineyards in just about every state in the union, not to mention all the ones in Europe, Australia and South America! If you don’t know a lot about wine, where do you begin?
There are many books on the subject of wine that describe different regions, grapes, processes, etc. But the best way to really get to know wine is by tasting. Many wine retailers invite representatives from local vineyards to offer samples of their various offerings. If there is a wine shop or wine bar in your area, they are sure to have evening events during which you can try several different brands of a single kind of wine.
Community colleges often offer wine tasting classes. What a great way to get together with friends once a week! Sometimes these are offered at a restaurant or community center, others travel from one venue to another. You’ll learn some new tips together, and can then impress your other friends next time you’re at a restaurant. Won’t they be surprised when you have a long discussion with the waiter about which pinot noir will be the best accompaniment to your dinner!
If you are planning a vacation, take some time to see if there are vineyards near your destination. You can visit just one or two to see what they’re offering, or take a tour of the entire region. There are often packages provided by winery associations that include tastings at several vineyards, meals and lodging. It’s a neat way to see the countryside and improve your wine vocabulary at the same time.
Wine tasting can take as much or as little time, energy and imagination as you’re willing to put into it! It can mean trying something new at home every week or two, or planning your next trip to France to coincide with the new Bordeaux vintage!
Over 55s around the world are seizing their newly-found spare time to learn the intricacies of viticulture – or just to drink more good wine!
Kerry Anne Finch is an accomplished marketer, with proven successes in corporate and NFP PR, event management and hugely successful product launch programs.
Kerry has founded a new website Over55s specifically for the Baby Boomer/55 age group, with features that include Travel, Hobbies, Health and Sport (http://www.over55s.com). Contributions from members are not only welcome, but are encouraged.
Currently Kerry divides her time between launching and managing her new website, her internet writing business, and gathering material through her role as an international tour director.