I’ve never really been able to drink alcohol. Since I was a teenager, I’ve been on some form of anti-anxiety med that comes with one of those labels – the ones with BIG WHITE LETTERS in a BIG BLACK BOX that warn DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICATION.
Of course, since I was a teenager, I didn’t really listen – but never really understood why I went from Zero to Blacked Out with one glass of wine. I have no concept of “buzzed” or even “drunk.” I always thought my “version” of drunk was normal…at least, until I really did start to actually black out after one glass of wine repeatedly, and talked to my psychiatrist about it, who was legitmately surprised I hadn’t died in my sleep yet.
Explaining why I don’t drink is always difficult – especially in situations resembling an LMFAO song, like this one:
But that doesn’t mean I don’t like a good margarita or glass of wine. I’m not afraid to order any drink off the menu “virgin”, prepared for the look of horror on the waitress’ face. Alcohol-free wine is apparently also becoming more prevalent, and a friend of mine recently tipped me off to the brand Fre, which is sold is most grocery stores around the Seattle area. I picked up a bottle of the Red Blend yesterday, completely prepared for it to taste like grape juice and be the worst $6 I ever spent.
Instead, not only does it taste and smell like wine – it’s actually better than most reds I’ve had. I ended up drinking two glasses, and woke up with – get this – NO HANGOVER.
Not only did I get to enjoy a half bottle of wine on a weekday without the detrimental side effects, I also got to keep the benefits of drinking a glass or two of red. Another brand of alcohol-free wine, ARIEL, says the wine still helps to decrease the risk of heart disease, lower your cholesterol, and reduce the chance of having stroke.
While I probably won’t have to worry about those things for a few more years, I love that drinking alcohol-free wine is just as good as the real thing – and since it doesn’t come with the risk of any hangover (or other side effects of being drunk…like, you know, that potential DUI….) – it might actually be better to the real thing.
Have you tried any alcohol free wine? What’s your favorite brand?
