WINE NOTES

Enjoying quality over quantity is a good approach to wine consumption as the new year gets underway.

Wine notes

JWith EMMA JENKINS anuary is a time when we take stock of the year that’s been, and perhaps seek to make positive changes for the coming year. When it comes to wine, I’ve long been a proponent of drinking less, but better – think quality, not quantity. There are many benefits to this approach, not least of which are those relating to health. Obviously, wine contains alcohol so quantity is not a good thing. Yes, there are some healthy compounds in wine, but they categorically do not outweigh the impact of excess alcohol. Recommended New Zealand guidelines are no more than two standard drinks per day for women, with at least a couple of alcohol-free days a week. Remember though, a standard drink is NOT necessarily what you pour into your glass! Helpfully, given the size of many wine glasses, producers must state standard drinks per bottle on the label, so a quick glance at this will let you know if your habits may need a little adjusting.

Ah, habits… many of us don’t give much thought to how, when or why we drink and that’s where bad habits can creep in. If you automatically pour a drink when you get in the door, maybe go for a walk instead, or make a pot of your favourite tea and call a friend, or relax with a magazine (you know which!), or snack on some veges while cooking... there are plenty of good substitute habits that your liver will love.

A glass of wine is absolutely fine to enjoy as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle but do be honest about your drinking. Taking a break for a few weeks can tell you quite effectively if there are any bad habits creeping in. New Year is a great chance to take stock, and ensure that having wine on a regular basis is enjoyed as all treats should be – savoured, in moderation, with great pleasure.