I've been starting my breakfasts this month with something full-bodied and red poured into a wine glass. The important detail to note is that it really looks like wine but is, in fact, organic beetroot juice. Oh so healthy, I've been led to believe. The perfect drink to begin the day. I can't say that the earthy, vegetable flavour pairs particularly well with my bowl of protein-rich, full-fat Greek yoghurt, topped with assorted nuts and blueberries, but I'm doing my best to undo any Christmas and New Year excesses. So far, so good.
Now, personally, I'm not a proponent of doing "Dry January" (for obvious reasons!), but there are many people who feel the need for a detox at this time of year. It's far too easy to over indulge with anything involving alcoholic drinks and, if you've consumed too much, it will probably be good for you to show some restraint this month. Either cut down the number of days you drink each week, or reduce your portions when you do drink. On the other hand, if you want to drink as much as usual, you might want to try some extra glasses of beetroot juice instead. If it didn't taste so weird, I think your brain might be fooled into thinking you actually had a nice glass of your favourite (vine based) tipple. It has that same impenetrable, deep, glossy look of an Aussie Shiraz, but you can't really have that for breakfast! I do like the idea of counting wine as one of your "Five-a-day" fruits & vegetables. Yet again, some doctors are now recommending moderate consumption of wine, so, maybe, the humble grape is onto a winner once more? How many times has this been in, and out, of fashion over recent years and decades? I've lost count. The choice is yours alone, and there's no-one else to blame for the results. Of course, the alternative option is to carry on as normal with the "real thing".
If you've decided to forego anything with a positive ABV (alcohol by volume) you'll be delighted to know that, with the wonders of modern science, there are a great number of well-made wines with either very low alcohol or even with none at all. Click here to view the full range of alcohol-free wines at Frazier Jones.
This time of year is also popular with skiing holidays in both the French & Italian Alps, and the Dolomites (pictured above) is another region where the winter partying season is in full swing with the "après-ski" crowd frequenting the mountainside village bars with copious amounts of the local vino being consumed. It's doubtful that these participants are looking for the "low alcohol" option, but both France and Italy do make them. So, if you're looking for a non-alcoholic Grenache rosé, supple Merlot, crisp Pinot Grigio, fruity Chardonnay or Prosecco style fizz, the choice is yours. All with zero alcohol and so much better to help achieve your goals in 2026.
Another healthy reason for drinking wine is to pick ones which have a higher antioxidant effect from the particular grape varieties used in their production. Let's get a bit technical for a moment: Red grapes containing the naturally occuring polyphenol, resveratrol, can offer a beneficial antioxidant effect and, if you don't overdo your wine consumption, you could help your heart health. Now, I'm not a doctor, so I can't prove it, but you do need to drink a LOT of wine to gain this benefit which, in turn, will have a downside to your health. So, once again, wine is both positive and negative for health, but you do get to test it out for yourself which is going to be very enjoyable!
It's important to mention that thick-skinned red grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, have the highest antioxidant effect because of their anthocyanin flavanoid pigment make up. So, now you know. It was all about the chemistry and nothing at all to do with your drinking habits. Also, according to reports, eating other kinds of commonly found black/purple fruits, vegetables and pulses promise the same beneficial results. I think I'd rather stick with drinking quality wine. In moderation, of course, keeping to the theme of this blog.
I do remember an article on the TV news many years' ago which gave a listing of all the major supermarket Chilean Cabernet with supposed heart pluses. On checking a local Sainsbury's outlet after the broadcast, all the brands with the highest antioxidant/resveratrol levels had been cleared from the shelves by desperate customers looking to get the jump on other "health-conscious" wine consumers. The difference between the brands' so-called medicinal effect was so minimal you could have picked any full-flavoured red for no real change in outcome, but it was funny to see all the gaps where the "highest rated" wines had been fully stocked the day before the news broadcast. I wonder how many people still believe all the hype and hysteria caused by these wines? I expect they've now moved on to either organic/biodynamic or natural wines which offer a much wider selection from around the world.
It might not be low in alcohol but the Chateau de Tracy "101 Rangs" Pouilly Fumé, with its cosmic and sustainable biodynamic credentials, is certainly good for the planet's health and it's a pretty tasty bottle, too. One of best Sauvignon Blanc you can get anywhere. Oddly, the famous central Loire winemaking land of Sancerre and its near neighbour Pouilly Fumé is a region of France I've yet to explore in person. I'm still hoping to get there as the wines can be thrilling, especially with some of the equally famous Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese which is made locally.
Cheese AND wine... now that's definitely delicious every time, but is it healthy? Who cares? I'm not feeling at all cautious today!