Because fireworks seem the most appropriate choice for a new years message. Good photo too by Verpletterend

A quick note of thanks

With just hours remaining of 2011 I think it’s probably a good time to have a little reflect on the year.

Thankfully I’m not going to bore you too much with said reflections, but I would like to send out a hearty thank you for stopping by – whether you have just randomly landed on this page via a google search, or you’re a regular reader, or you just check in occasionally to see what I’m banging on about. Regardless of who you are I’d like to offer hugs and cheers all round.

The main reason for this thanks though is that blogging, as many of us know, is one of the most indulgent sports around (and wine blogging particularly so). As a result it can often feel like I’m just writing vaguely wine related drivel (which may also be true), to no one in particular (also possible) and largely for my own amusement (ditto), a situation which is not actually all that satisfying in the long run.

Yet it is the feedback, the comments, the emails, the ‘hey you’re that guy who slammed our wines’ confrontation at tastings that you, dear reader (not Dear Leader) provide that makes me want to keep posting, keep writing and keep going (even if sporadically at times). It’s that social dynamic which is the driver, the knowledge that people actually read/occasionally even enjoy what you write that makes this blogging caper both fun and worthwhile. Again, hugs all round.

Now, as for 2012, I’m looking forward to (hopefully) being more grumpy and impartial next year with the intention of trying provide the most honest perspective on wine that I can muster. Or something like that…

Happy new year and I look forward to hearing from you/seeing you/guessing that you’re reading this blog in 2012.

Andrew