Wine, Women & Our Wellness

A Finer Look at Women’s Relationship with Wine
 
You know the scenario. Picture it.
The wooden table surrounded by friends, smiling, laughing, together. The table is neatly covered with oils, bread, appetizers, wine glasses, decor, stories and laughter. It adds so much more to the experience if we are in Italy, a yoga retreat, or visiting fabulous city dwellers at the trendiest spot. Or simply in our neighborhood environment with friends.
 
So much of women’s relationships with wine is about the social connections to other people. The entire social event. Because yes, we know that wine becomes a staple of “girl’s nights” and “girl’s getaways”.  We are wired to connect with each other and to interact in groups. A life that maximizes social interaction and human-to-human contact is good for our health. People who have more social connections and support tend to have better mental health, cardiovascular health, greater life satisfaction, and longevity over time. We are prone to be happier and enjoy life. True wellness.
 
Many see wine as a means for connection and relaxation. A stylish accessory too!
 
However, women truly process alcohol differently than men. The Wall Street Journal explains that women’s bodies “have more fat, which retains alcohol, and less water, which dilutes it, so women drinking the same amount as men their size and weight become intoxicated more quickly.” It means women become more cognitively impaired by alcohol and are more susceptible to alcohol-related organ damage. And, oh, the headaches. They hurt and affect our next day.
 
Many organizations target and market wine just to women. There are women sip and snack socials, sip-n-shops, and there are even non-profit events that combine Wine Women & Shoes, to pair wine with shoes and fund-raise for wonderful causes. We want to connect but we are also passionate about our health and wellness.
 
Women have started the wellness retreat trend for our health. We travel to empower ourselves and improve our mind/body connection.  Wellness holidays have grown in recent years with a surge of people traveling abroad to stay healthy. Many spa resorts will no longer be positioned as fitness amenities but lifestyle choices offering vegan and gluten-free healthy meal options and yes, even alcohol-free wine for those social scenarios we crave. Imagine, zero gluten, zero guilt and 0.0 alcohol. All whilst getting our social connection we so much crave.
 
If you walked into these retreat scenarios or restaurants offering zero alcohol wine, you might not immediately notice. Some of the alcohol-free wine options are artfully disguised as artisan mocktails with names like “Crackling Rose” and “Pretty in Pink”. And, every January boasts “National Mocktail Week”. Menus are being paired with flavorful dishes to accompany the alcohol-free wine. And chefs use the fine tasting zero alcohol wine to add zest to the latest healthy dishes.
 
The global health and wellness movement has consumers, mainly women who lead the trend, moving away from high calorie sugary drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non alcoholic wine has 50% less sugar. According to statistics from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), 30% of American adults don't consume alcohol. Consumers are increasingly looking to beverages to play new roles in their diets and health routines.
 
Yes, we want our social scenario, our retreats and our health scenario combined. We are women and we want it all. And, now we can!     La Buona Vita.

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