For the last few years, “Dry January” has been a recurring topic of conversation here at the shop. Many folks are looking for a top-of-year reset after the holidays; however, they still want their evenings to feel separate from the workday. For many of us, that still includes a glass of wine.
January is the month we all look to reboot into the new year with a mindful and intentional reset. Hammond and I do our own version of that reset, and we’ve even adopted a name for it: Damp January. For us, January isn’t dry or business as usual. Instead, it’s a purposeful dialing down from the “This goes to Eleven” pace of the holidays to a month of mindful moderation.
The big change for us is pretty simple: we put spirits on the bench for the month. I love the occasional gin gimlet and Manhattan, and Hammond’s perfectly pleased with a G&T; however, in January, we both put all cocktails on the back burner and enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.
In our version of Damp January, wine stays on the table; however, it shows up in a more intentional way. The phrase I always come back to is mindful enjoyment. In this vinous context, it’s the big-picture idea of keeping tighter tabs on how food and wine fit into the balance of our daily lives. January is the month we pay closer attention, notice the difference, and then keep that positive rhythm rolling into February and beyond.
This is when the “drink less, drink better” idea truly becomes the perfect solution. If you’re pouring fewer glasses in a week, you can be happily selective about what goes in them. The bonus is that you can pick special bottles that perfectly suit your mood or meal, that also won’t hurt the budget. That’s really the heart of what we do here at the shop—wines from small, independent growers brought to us by local and regional importers and distributors.
A nice cheat code for Damp January is leaning towards cool-climate whites and reds that tend to be naturally lower in alcohol. Think breezy whites from the Loire, or Northern Italy that’ll work like a charm with roasted chicken, fish, beans, salads, and whatever you’re doing to “eat a little better.” For reds, look for cooler-climate bottles like Prost Pinot Noir from Germany. It’s lower alcohol, super easy-going, and pairs like a champ with grilled salmon, almost any preparation of chicken, lentil stews, or even just a simple bowl of pasta.
That brings me to NA options. While they’re improving, and I’m glad they exist, honestly, the quality still isn’t there yet—especially for NA reds. What we’re finding so far is that NA sparkling wines are by far, currently the best bet. We’ve found the Dr. Loosen sparklers to be way ahead of the quality curve, and they top our list of recommended NA wines.
And as always, whatever this month looks like for you—Dry January, Damp January, “Slightly Moist January,” or business as usual—we’re here for you. Tell us what you’re aiming for (lower alcohol, cooler-climate bottles, an easy-going red that’s easy on the wallet, NA bubbles that you’d actually want to drink), and we’ll point you toward options that fit your needs and budget.
Regardless of whether you’re enjoying a rich red from the Côtes du Rhône, sipping on a low-or-no-alcohol sparkler, or maybe even experimenting with a zero-proof cocktail, the key is to enjoy it mindfully and responsibly. Here’s to a new year filled with health, happiness, and wonderful wine!