The binary choice between the joyless slog of a dry (and always lengthy) January followed by the implied permission to fill ones’ boots – or at least, glass, for the other 11 months of the year is rightly in my opinion being brought into question by many. Indeed, ‘Damp January’ is the somewhat unpleasant sounding latest trend: Damp January: is the age of abstinence coming to an end? | Life and style | The Guardian which introduced the idea of a potentially more sustainable moderate middle ground. Sustainable of course for both drinker and wine merchant – I do recognise that we have considerable skin in the game here but drinking less but better has been something that we at The Wine Society have been advocating for some time.
But what is moderate drinking? Is there a definition and how can we tell if our calibration has crept off over time, either as a result of environment or individual circumstances?
The independent charity Drinkaware (which is financially supported by The Wine Society and many other businesses within the trade) is dedicated to helping people make informed choices about their drinking. They provide advice, practical tools, and resources to help individuals better understand their relationship with alcohol so they can decide what balance feels right for them.
Their approach is relatively agnostic, ‘Whether you decide to drink less, drink differently, take regular breaks, or make no changes at all, we help to ensure that any decision you make is an informed one – without judgment. We work collaboratively with partners, communities, and the government to share research and insights that help reduce alcohol-related harm across the UK.’
Interestingly, recent research by Drinkaware shows that it is at home that most drinking occurs and whilst much of that is ‘moderate, the home is also where a large share of binge drinking now occurs – not because people drink more per occasion, but because it’s where drinking happens most often. Quieter, routine home occasions, such as drinking alone, with a partner, or with family, drive much of the UK’s overall consumption and are where alcohol-related risk is most likely to build up unnoticed over time.’
research shows that among those who drink regularly at home, wine is the most popular choice,
The research shows that among those who drink regularly at home, wine is the most popular choice, with over half (53%) enjoying it ‘always or often’. Ultimately, the safety and familiarity of our own homes can make it easier for risky habits to develop gradually.
Drinkaware calculate that seven million people in the UK fall into the ‘increasing risk’ category. These are people who regularly drink more than the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk guidelines of 14 units a week, spread over several days. In real terms, that’s roughly more than six medium glasses (175ml) of wine across the week.
Their research shows that 60% of people in this group don’t feel concerned about their habits, and nearly two-thirds have never had a reason to check their units. Even when a concern may creep in, many people feel that speaking to a doctor feels too formal or ‘heavy.’
So what can one do if curious, or concerned? Drinkaware offers a range of free, confidential tools and resources:
- Advice and guidance: Their website offers a range of advice and guidance to help you understand alcohol harms.
- MyDrinkaware App: A simple way to track your drinking, set goals, understand how alcohol affects your sleep and mood and moderate your drinking.
- The Drinking Check: A free, confidential drinking quiz that provides a personalised summary of your drinking risk level and practical tips if you need to make any changes.
- Unit and Calorie Calculator: A practical tool to help you work out the number of alcohol units and calories you have consumed to help you keep track and reduce your drinking.
- Alcohol Support Service Finder: A quick way to locate free, local support services.
The Wine Society also offers free access for all members (and employees) to Club Soda’s mindful drinking courses which offer a choice of potential outcomes, but which generally allow members to reassess their relationship with alcohol at their own pace.
One consideration or concern for those seeking the path of moderation is what to replace wine with – particularly with food. The Society’s approach to ‘low and no’ is to offer a thoughtful selection of drinks that provide your palate with interesting and complex flavours – not necessarily mimicking the characteristics of wine but providing much of the same pleasure. Many of these work extremely well with food.
So with a range of options available and a clearer idea of what moderation officially looks like, why not pop over to drinkaware.com and try out some of the tools available? At worst, you’ll come away better informed to contribute to the dry/damp/wet debate and at best, you may be about to embark on a life-changing journey.
>> Explore our lighter-alcohol wines
>> Find out more about Club Soda and Drinkaware
