Monthly Archives: June 2016

Here at No.1 Family Estate we’re proud to be sponsoring RISE 2016; we have supported this event in previous years and it’s always a great pleasure to be involved. RISE is the perfect platform for women who are serious about business and success, the event’s mission is to empower women in business and we think that’s important.

We make Methode Traditionelle wine in Marlborough, New Zealand, employing the time honoured traditions used by our family’s ancestors in Champagne. Although the famous monk, Dom Perignon, is credited with inventing Champagne, there are in fact several famous “widowed” women of the region who shaped the industry including Barbe-Nicole Clicquot and Lilly Bollinger.

Our very own Daniel Le Brun – Winemaker, has been referred to as “New Zealand’s Grand Poobah of bubbles”! But as you know, No. 1 Family Estate, is exactly that… A family business; and Adele Le Brun has always been a very prominent and important part of our success.

So we thought it appropriate to raise a glass to all those women in business and celebrate three reasons why you’re so important to our changing world.

Women inherently possess a high capacity for emotional intelligence, important for executing strategies and building support.
It’s no cliche… Women really are better multi-taskers than men; a 2013 study by BMC Psychology, found that women outperformed men in several multi-tasking paradigms, although it cautioned against making strong generalisations due to a near lack of empirical studies on gender differences in multitasking.
Women can often be patient by nature, a key attribute in running a successful business.

If you haven’t yet attended a RISE event, connect with them on Facebook to find out when the next one is coming to a town near you!

The days are shorter, the nights longer and it stands to reason that you may want to hibernate. If you’re suffering from a case of mid-winter melancholy check out our “10 Tip Guide” to banishing those winter blues so you can bubble with happiness!

1. Head outside… We know it’s cold, but a brisk walk in the open air is sure to lift your spirits.
2. Eat well… You know the old adage, you are what you eat… Well it’s true, what you eat affects your energy levels and so affects your mood. If you’re participating in “Junk Free June“, it’s likely your spirits have lifted already!
3. Be present… Don’t dwell on the lazy, hazy days of the past summer or long for the one that is on its way; be present and make the most of your “here and now”, discover the things that are good to do in winter and enjoy them.
4. Stay social… And we’re not talking Facebook! We know it’s tempting to stay in on a cold, dark evening; but you’ll feel so much happier when you’re out doing the things you love with the people you care for.
5. Enjoy a mid-winter Christmas… Go all out with friends, we’re talking, gifts, fairy lights good food and of course bubbles!
6. Eat chocolate… If you’re anything like us you won’t need an excuse; but there is science behind it… In winter you may be lacking a natural amino acid called trytophan, luckily contained in chocolate! Trytophan is involved in the manufacture of the feel-good hormone serotonin, which the body produces when exposed to sunshine. Make it the good stuff, 70% cocoa solids, (remember number 2 above – “Eat Well”).
7. Help others… There’s no better way to feel better about yourself, than by helping somebody else; it could be a friend, family member, neighbour or a complete stranger… Do something good for somebody else today and we guarantee you will immediately feel an inner glow that’s hard to beat.
8. Give a gift… It’s a proven fact that altruism and generosity make us healthier and happier!
9. Focus on your joy… It might be your family or a hobby; but there is bound to be something in your life that brings you great pleasure, something you’re passionate about. Once you’ve identified your joy, give it some time and attention.
10. Drink bubbles… Could there be a more joyful sound than the “pop” of a cork?

Drink bubbles with friends at a mid-winter Christmas; and give them the gift of bubbles… You’ve crossed off number 2, 3, 4, 5, (possibly number 6), 8 and number 10! Walk to the mid-winter Christmas and you’ve covered number 1. Help with the cooking and you’ve sorted number 7. Celebrating with friends and family… You’ve likely found your joy, there goes number 9!

It happens to the best of us… You can’t remember where you left your keys or the name of the actress who played the lead in your favourite movie.

Whilst forgetfulness is often associated with growing older, your brain (just like the rest of your body) needs exercise and certain nutrients to remain healthy and keep your memory strong at any age.

Thankfully there are lots of things you can do to enhance your mental performance. Here’s a list of 5 ways to improve your memory.

 1. Give your brain a workout – You’ve heard the expression “use it or lose it”, so find new ways to stimulate your grey matter. Whether it’s suduko or a crossword, research has shown that mental stimulation keeps the brain healthy and increases the strength of memory.

 2. Give your body a workout – Physical exercise is as important to keeping your brain healthy as mental exercise. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk of physical illnesses that can lead to reduced memory.

 3. Don’t worry be happy – Stress puts the stops on memory and chronic stress can destroy brain cells all together. Laughter is always the best medicine and can lower cortisol levels, increase dopamine and engage multiple regions across your whole brain.

 4. Eat well – A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, “healthy” fats (such as olive oil, nuts, fish) and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, and can also improve memory.

 5. Drink bubbles – A study from the University of Reading have shown that phenolic compounds can improve spatial memory. 

It sounds to us like it could be time to party… Time spent with friends on the dance floor with good food and Méthode Traditionelle wine ticks a number of these off the list! If you’re planning to party a Classic Mixed Case is a great way to get it started.