Wine sales are sluggish, young people are drinking less, and the specter of a "Neo-Prohibition" movement is stripping wine of its once-vaunted halo. Are we witnessing Dionysus’s last dance?
Derek!!!! This is amazing - literally goosebumps inducing, because I’m writing a piece for this week on how we can “wine two ways” with the evolution of dealcoholzied wine. After decades in the wine industry I’m continually having conversations with beverage folks and restaurant owners about the new opportunities to meet guests where they’re at, while helping the industry we love. Absolutely going to embed and link out to your work, in my piece. Brilliant!!! 🍷💪
A respiratory infection a year ago caused me to participate in Sober October unintentionally, and gave me the opportunity to examine my habit critically. I still enjoy wine now, just once a week instead of every night.
It's wild how emotionally charged the discussion can get. On the one hand, some drinkers seem to have a deep fear they may be expected to modify their behavior. And some in the business react strongly to anything they feel might hurt sales. On the other hand, some abstainers come across as true believers, their condemnation of others' drinking perhaps fueled by past personal trauma. Getting past all this to have a productive conversation is challenging.
So enjoyed this! Rachel Martin’s comment struck me. Industry members can choose to embrace the movement now or wait until they have too. There is a reason Gordon Ramsay is now cooking vegan.
This is a totally biased piece! Despite a mention of drinking wine in moderation being an enjoyable part of a nice part of life, you have to force the negative effects that some have. It's like some sugar in moderation is enjoyable, but too much is carcinogenic. Or some have to avoid gluten due to celiac, but that's not the majority. "Come Over October" is not forcing alcohol on anybody .. enjoy what you will .. but it's definitely not a defensive move.
I'm not sure if 'totally biased' is the right characterization -- mentioning that drinking wine in moderation can be an enjoyable part of life feels like a reasonable statement to me. Or does any mention of the negative health effects of alcohol/wine automatically get labeled as biased for you?
For context, the defensive statement came from someone who produces both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wine, and I also included a wine columnist talking about "Come Over October," which I thought offered a balanced perspective. That said, it's possible we won't see eye to eye on this, but I do appreciate your comment.
Derek!!!! This is amazing - literally goosebumps inducing, because I’m writing a piece for this week on how we can “wine two ways” with the evolution of dealcoholzied wine. After decades in the wine industry I’m continually having conversations with beverage folks and restaurant owners about the new opportunities to meet guests where they’re at, while helping the industry we love. Absolutely going to embed and link out to your work, in my piece. Brilliant!!! 🍷💪
Thank you! I can't wait to read your piece!
A respiratory infection a year ago caused me to participate in Sober October unintentionally, and gave me the opportunity to examine my habit critically. I still enjoy wine now, just once a week instead of every night.
It's wild how emotionally charged the discussion can get. On the one hand, some drinkers seem to have a deep fear they may be expected to modify their behavior. And some in the business react strongly to anything they feel might hurt sales. On the other hand, some abstainers come across as true believers, their condemnation of others' drinking perhaps fueled by past personal trauma. Getting past all this to have a productive conversation is challenging.
Love this point. I hope that changes and we can discuss both sides of the coin!
So enjoyed this! Rachel Martin’s comment struck me. Industry members can choose to embrace the movement now or wait until they have too. There is a reason Gordon Ramsay is now cooking vegan.
Exactly!
Very interesting and informative! And the final quote by Ian Blessing is spot on!
Such a thoughtful article!
Thank you, Heather!
I just had this conversation recently with someone in the wine industry, what a fantastic and timely article!
Do share!
This is a totally biased piece! Despite a mention of drinking wine in moderation being an enjoyable part of a nice part of life, you have to force the negative effects that some have. It's like some sugar in moderation is enjoyable, but too much is carcinogenic. Or some have to avoid gluten due to celiac, but that's not the majority. "Come Over October" is not forcing alcohol on anybody .. enjoy what you will .. but it's definitely not a defensive move.
I'm not sure if 'totally biased' is the right characterization -- mentioning that drinking wine in moderation can be an enjoyable part of life feels like a reasonable statement to me. Or does any mention of the negative health effects of alcohol/wine automatically get labeled as biased for you?
For context, the defensive statement came from someone who produces both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wine, and I also included a wine columnist talking about "Come Over October," which I thought offered a balanced perspective. That said, it's possible we won't see eye to eye on this, but I do appreciate your comment.