Honestly Curious - NA Alternatives & Sobriety

Here’s a question: If a beverage is packaged in a wine bottle, contains fermented liquid that resembles wine, and delivers all the herb and fruit flavors we associate with traditional wine… is it wine? If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck, right?

But wait, what if that beverage is alcohol-free? Does it still qualify as wine or beer or a spirit? And should we embrace this growing category of NA (non-alcoholic) alternatives? Believe it or not, I used to consume non-alcoholic beers while living in Germany. We regularly visited beer gardens and sometimes I just didn’t feel like drinking very much alcohol on weeknights. So I would order an NA Hefeweizen as my second glass after sipping a traditional one with alcohol. The experience was still enjoyable—sipping something flavorful in a social setting with friends. What stood out was how effortless it was: every menu in Germany had NA options. It felt like a cultural acknowledgment of moderation, a simple, “Have some alcohol—or don’t. We support your choice.”

Fast-forward six years and Americans are starting to follow suit with NA options on almost every menu. Today, I tried a non-alcoholic wine alternative from Feral, a fermented beverage crafted from beets. A white variety, with lavender notes, was served chilled—perfect alongside goat cheese and salads. A red, with complex herb flavors, paired beautifully with grilled meat. These drinks were delicious and satisfying, ideal for evenings when you want something wine-like to pair with food, either because you don’t want alcohol OR because one traditional wine bottle shared feels like enough.

Let’s chat about why our culture may be drinking less and why NA beverages serve a purpose…
I have a number of friends that refrain from varying levels of alcohol during certain times of the year. Or are just indefinitely abstaining. And the peak season for reducing alcohol intake is January — so what better time to explore this topic?! My curious nature has been asking friends all year about varying levels of sobriety.

1. Dry January.
   After a month filled with social events and sipping wine (or other drinks) nearly every night, the body is craving a good detox from sugar, alcohol, all the things. Sometimes, taking a solid break is exactly what we need to feel rejuvenated and restored. And maybe that break is also a gentle nudge to embrace a life of day-to-day moderation. Perhaps it’s a reminder that the magic liquid we celebrated in December hasn’t suddenly turned into a villain in January—it just needs a little balance. So whether it’s January 16th or February 16th, I get it and good for you. NA alternatives can act as a short-term replacement or fill-in for what may have been a 2nd or 3rd glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail. Cheers to a good reset back to moderation.

2. 100% Sober Curious.
   It’s easy to start the evening with the intention of having one glass and end up with three. The next day, you wake up feeling sluggish, drained of energy and creativity. Maybe you’re tired of having that feeling on repeat and have decided to cut it out completely for an extended period. My husband once went on a very solid break from alcohol. He once told me, “I didn’t have a timeline in mind; I just knew I wouldn’t drink again until it stopped having power over me. I wanted to get to a point where a glass was something I enjoyed for the taste and the community, and that was it.” One day, out of the blue, we went out for some appetizers, and he casually ordered a real glass. That was it—he took a break for himself and no one else. Once his mind felt restored, he went back to enjoying wine and traditional beers. Please know you’re always welcome at my events, whether you’re drinking or not. You can still be part of a curious and supportive community, and I’ll start carrying this NA fermented beverage from Feral.

3. Alcohol, don’t mess with my precious sleep!
   I hear this often: “I just can’t—every time I drink wine, it ruins my sleep.” And it’s true, there’s plenty of debate about which types of alcohol disrupt sleep, even if you’ve only had a glass or two. About six months ago, I indulged in a gifted bottle: a high-alcohol, deeply ruby red from California (with no idea of its winemaking philosophy). I was wide awake at 2 a.m., reaching for Advil. Lesson learned! If you don’t fully trust what’s in the bottle, it’s probably best to skip it. From my own experience, I’ve found that thoughtfully crafted, small-production wines—those with fewer additives, organic practices, and lower alcohol content—don’t disrupt sleep as long as consumption is kept to a few glasses. In fact, I only represent selections that are honestly and ethically made. If you love the taste of wine, choosing higher-quality options can be the key to better sleep. Sleep is everything—and that’s why buying quality wine matters.

Some people ask, “Does the growing non-alcoholic category make you nervous?” Not at all! I fully support it. Do I personally prefer the taste of a traditional glass of wine? Absolutely—flavor-wise, it’s the BEST. But I’m genuinely excited about the cultural shift toward moderation. If NA beverages can help foster healthier relationships with alcohol, I’m all for it. I’m known to sip on a kombucha between glasses of wine when I’m out. It’s exciting to imagine ALL menus with both wine/beer selections and a thoughtfully curated NA section.There’s a place for everyone at the table! One request from me though… can we just call them NA alternatives? The deliciousness I sipped today was so enjoyable, but I am not sure I am ready to call it wine ;)

Cheers, friends. Xx, Kris