5 Ways to Enjoy Wine, Mindfully

Carrie Dennett

Worried that you're drinking more wine than usual? Thinking that you need to go "dry" for a while? You’re not alone. Exploring a “sober curious” or “sober sometimes” lifestyle is increasingly trendy, especially among Millennials, as evidenced by the increased popularity of low- or no-alcohol beverages. While you’re deciding what’s best for you, consider this: maybe what you need isn’t abstinence…maybe it’s mindfulness.
Here are five tips to help you explore this strategy.  

1. Think about what you're wanting wine to do for you. Get curious. Do you like the ritual of a glass of wine with dinner? Do you appreciate how wine complements a meal? Or are you using wine to wind down after a tough day — every day? Part of the purported health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be its ability to help reduce stress, but moderate is the key.   

2. Pair your wine with food. In France, wine is almost always enjoyed with food. This helps you slow down and enhances enjoyment both the wine and the food. Pay attention to how the qualities of the wine play off the flavors in your food, and how the wine affects the taste of the food in your mouth. It’s well known that wine is an integral part of the traditional Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest dietary patterns in the world. But that wine is enjoyed in moderation, with food and with good company.  

3. Pay attention to how you feel. Is your intention to enjoy wine with your meal but not get buzzed – especially on a weeknight? Respect what you know about yourself and your tolerance level. Be mindful about how you’re feeling in the moment, about how much you’ve consumed (especially if someone is topping off your glass). That’s another reason to enjoy wine with food…it slows the release of alcohol into your bloodstream.  

4. Help yourself shift out of autopilot. If you frequently find that you are automatically pouring yourself a second — or third — glass because the wine bottle is right there, move it off the table. Yes, you can have another glass if you truly want it, but they need to get out of your chair to retrieve the bottle inserts a “pause” in the proceedings, giving you space to make a conscious choice.  

5. Bring a companion beverage to the table. Let wine be a flavor complement to your food, but don't make wine be the only available liquid to reach for. Have a glass of water — still or sparkling — in front of you if you need to moisten your mouth and act as a palate cleanser. It also serves as another way to slow your wine drinking pace, which is especially helpful if you know you feel your best when you stop after one glass.   The bottom line is that, as with most things in life, what it means to “moderate” wine or alcohol intake isn’t black-or-white. While a small percentage of people have a real reason to abstain, most people can experience the pleasures of wine while still feeling clear-headed.  

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