On the Wine Side - Dry? Why? How About “Try,” Instead….or Damp, Even

So long, holiday season; hello, January.

Hopefully the time between Halloween and NEw Year's was one of sharing favorite and special wines with family and friends, culminating in a toast to 2026. And here it is.

Perhaps the end of 2025 was a bit overindulgent for you, as it is for many. It’s no wonder that this time of year has come to be called “Dry January.” Many of us feel like we just need a break. And that’s not a bad thing.

But a break doesn’t have to be a fracture!

If wine is a pleasant part of your life, don’t kick it to the curb like some traitorous scoundrel. Afterall, it’s not the wine’s fault that you overindulged. Would you stop talking to a friend because he or she brought up something uncomfortable? What you might try, instead, is to give each other some space.

Dry January is actually a great opportunity to explore wines that might not typically be part of your usual selections - wines with lower alcohol levels, less (or no) sugar, and fewer carbohydrates. We have a special section in the store now for these “lifestyle” wines, right across from the organic wines. If you haven’t yet, you could give these a Try.

Dry January may also be a time for you to just cut back if that feels like something you want to do. Like other ways we hope to make our lives healthier in a new year, reducing consumption rather than going cold turkey with what we really enjoy can be a lot easier and better in the long run. This holds true for foods, too – chips, ice cream, pasta, dessert – I have things on my list, for sure. January is hard enough without giving up what brings you special pleasure. That’s why we’re going for the term “Damp.” Less can be more.

Enough with the lecture, how about the wines?

The selection we’ve made for the shelves by the Info Desk includes a range from Cupcake (their Lighthearted wines) and Sunny With a Chance, as well as some fun one-offs like Cloud 90 from Cavit and the light versions of Matua and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. There are also some wines from Stella Rosa - Italian wines that are very low in alcohol – usually 5% - but very big in flavor. Lambrusco is another low-alcohol, high-flavor wine, so you’ll find Riunite up there. It’s delicious and refreshing over ice. Or consider a Riesling. Dr. Loosen has a great slogan for its wines: “8.5% Alcohol. 100% Yum. Naturally. Be Well, Drink Well.”

From our very own state of New York, check out the low-alcohol offerings from Glenora, Lakeland, and Ledge Rock – even Adirondack’s Red Carriage Cranberry wine, which is a nice wine to keep the holiday vibe going. Listed by the price of each wine on in the display is its ABV (Alcohol By Volume) to help you choose what’s best for you.

Prioritizing good health is something we can do year-round, and January is a good time to start. Wine can still be part of a healthy lifestyle – for psychological as well as physical reasons!

Here’s to a healthy and adventurous 2026 with wines from around the world. Cheers!