It is that time of year. The numerous lists of best, worst, and most interesting stories in the past year will start to overload your favorite websites or blogs. 2011 was an amazing year in both wine and the world.

Wine World

Continued expansion in the American wine market, China getting into the Bordeaux pricing game, Chinese wine looking to make a splash, new California AVAs, Oregon and Washington continuing to grow, Malbec boom continues, Prohibition reexamined by a masterful director, winery acquisitions, challenging harvests, but these brief headlines barely touch the surface.

The World

Occupy Wall Street, Arab Spring, GOP debates, Steve Jobs, Christopher Hitchens, Osama bin Laden, Kim Jung Il, end of Iraq war, Euro Crisis, High unemployment, economic uncertainty, Japan’s earthquake, and Thailand floods. This small list can conjure up some personal feelings and memories. We all have our own 2011 lists.

So how do we approach these lists? Do we take time to reflect on slight or monumental shifts in our everyday lives? Do we read for pure enjoyment, but pay no mind to the events? Are we looking at these events for a precursor to 2012 and the possibilities?

This is a personal choice, but I recommend the following:

Step 1: Call over friends and family (ideally NYE 2011)

Step 2: Bring out multiple bottles of wine

Step 3: Uncork and start drinking

Step 4: Create your own 2011 list with friends and family. Take time to reflect on the past year. The triumphs and challenges, tears and laughter, the shocking and expected, they have all marked our lives.

Step 5: Make sure wine glasses never go empty.

Step 6: 2012 – What are you most looking forward to? A new job? A new addition to the family? The end of the world in December (thank you Mayans for ruining the surprise)? Or just looking for the little things, like that new bottle of Syrah to really surprise you.

2012 is looking to be a fantastic year. New wines will be discovered. New friends will be made. MyFermentedBuzz will continue to provide knowledge, entertainment and a Millennial perspective. And most importantly MyWineDeal.com will be finally launching in the first quarter.

Here’s a cheer to the future, a cheer to the past. And a cheer to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant; The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and dear.

Cheers, Joe and Steph