Dry January has become a big deal in recent years.  I get it.  If you are one who goes a bit to hard over the holidays, it's good to have a cleansing period to get back on track.  I know it will be a long time before I look at another piece of cheese!

But for those of us who enjoy a glass of wine or a spirit cocktail occasionally, Dry January can involve a whole other adventure! 

Most wines are vinified "dry".  What this means is that there is minimal residual sugar in the final product.  So if you're a Cabernet Sauvignon drinker, or Sauvignon Blanc wine lover, you're already embracing a Dry style!   The less residual sugar, the drier the beverage.

Port is not a good example of dry wine. 

All Spirits are dry!  It's the sugary mixes and pop, juice etc. we add to it that change it up.  Our suggestion?  Sip it neat.  Don't add water.

Alternatively, there is a proliferation of non-alcoholic products on the market for those that really take this seriously and want to reduce alcohol intake in general. Both wines, and spirits have de-alcoholized versions, but if you're calorie counting, the flavour has to come from somewhere and the culprit is likely sugar! 

The bottom line is moderation and doing what's right for YOU.  Like any restricted diet, too restricted and you're tempted to cheat and then it's harder to climb back on the wagon.  Be mindful of your alcohol intake, cut back or cut it out during the week, and, like the endless mountains of cheese over the holidays, go easy on yourself and choose the best and enjoy less of it.   Sip, savour and feel good about occasionally treating yourself.   Life is too short!