It’s the time of year for resolving to put old habits aside and begin on that path to wellness! Well… maybe.

When the first month of the year blows in after a busy holiday season of eating, drinking and making merry, it sometimes feels daunting to stand by a resolution made after finally putting on pants with a waist band. Also, it’s grey and cold and we just want to curl up on our sofas until Spring.

Do we want a beverage? Yes we do. And some research has shown that it can do a body good to cut back or go dry in terms of alcohol consumption. Add to that, Non-alcohol (NA) alternatives are more plentiful than ever. It’s good to switch things up, reduce some calories, give our liver a break and maybe drop a few lbs in the process.🙏

Yet the road to dry can be challenging. An evening out with friends for a special dinner often sets the scene for a nice cocktail or bottle of wine. It feels almost unnatural to not partake. For some, not drinking with dinner can seem like a hug without the squeeze. It’s a whole sensory thing – the way the glass fits neatly into your hands, the first pour, the flavors of that favorite mixed drink or glass of wine – all are a part of the experience, regardless of the buzz you may or may not get after a few sips.

Last year, I managed to idle in dampness, not quite going full dry. This year is going to be different.

Looking for some fun NA alternatives (and there are many) I chose two:

Ariel Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay– part of the J Lohr Universe of wine, this NA wine was first released in 1985. Cultivated in J Lohr’s Monterey vineyards, it goes through a process of stainless steel cold-fermentation/barrel aging before the alcohol is gently removed.

It consists of 93% Chardonnay, 5% Riesling, 2% Sauvignon Blanc with <0.5% ABV, 45 calories and 11g carbs.

Alcohol is removed from wine in one of three ways:

Vacuum Distillation – uses heat to evaporate alcohol leaving only trace amounts and preserving original flavors.

Reverse Osmosis – uses pressure through a semi-permeable membrane to remove the alcohol.

Spinning Cone Column – a low temperature vacuum distillation, alcohol is pushed upwards in a centrifuge as the wine stays at the bottom of the cone. As liquid then rotates downwards, steam is added as a filter and this process is repeated until there is virtually no alcohol left.

Juni Sparkling Tea – an alternative to bubbly and fortified with herbal adaptogens that contain:

Green Tea – for brain health and metabolism

Lion’s Mane (a mushroom) – for stress, anxiety and cognitive function

Reishi Mushroom – fatigue fighter and anti-oxidant support

Acerola Cherry – vitamin C and anti-oxidant

Juni is short for ‘Just you and I’ and is apparently made with love by plant-based recipe developer Rhadi Devlukia and her husband, podcast host and author, Jay Shetty.

USDA organic certified, Juni is a sugar-free, lightly fizzy drink containing adaptogens (plants and mushrooms that help the body’s response to stress).

Ok this is all cool and all but how do they taste?

The Ariel looks very much like wine in the glass. Its color and clarity are very good as is its light to medium mouthfeel. As for taste, it’s very refreshing with some nice acidity on the finish. But for a Chard it’s very light. While its lightly tropical/apple vibe is a pleasant experience, anyone expecting the buttery depth and gravitas of traditional Chardonnay might be a little disappointed. For me, it’s a nice, lower calorie alternative that sits well in my glass. As for some other qualities of wine; the change in depth as it opens in the glass, the character change as it pairs with foods, I haven’t found that alchemy yet with NA alternatives.

Juni has a mild taste and looks pretty sparkling in my martini glass. It’s a nice little pick-me-up and thankfully not too sweet. With 0 sugar and only 5 calories per can ( and organic ingredients) it is a good alternative to conventional sugary soda or sweet teas.

A few days after this year’s pledge I grabbed a wine glass and was walking to the fridge to pour myself a glass of the ‘23 Ariel. HubbyDoug gave me a puzzled look. I assured him that what was in my glass was in keeping with my Dry January plan. So far, so good.

Truth be told, I like a good cocktail. I love a great glass (or two) of wine, and it isn’t always about the buzz. It’s about the nuanced complexity of flavors on the nose and palate. It’s about how they meld together, how they can change with each sip, and the food with which I’m pairing them. And I will go back to enjoying them again in February.

But for now, I’m enjoying the NA versions in a pretty glass, and feeling a little bit lighter. 😉

Cheers!

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