Welcome to the Moderation Party
When A Balanced Glass was born six years ago, the topic of moderation was about as popular as a beige poplin pinafore at a heavy metal concert. The "boring middle" was dismissed, laughed at, and overlooked in a seemingly binary world of abstinence or overconsumption.
As one senior industry distributor executive said on learning about the ABG mission, "Beware of biting the hand that feeds you."
But now, as the reality of a moderating customer base is expanding, the low-no alcohol category gains momentum, and wine professionals are advocating more for their own health and wellbeing, wine industry powers are starting to take the topic of moderation more seriously.
Welcome to the party.
We've been writing, speaking, sometimes shouting, and unapologetically advocating for wine in moderation since A Balanced Glass began in 2018. But moderation as a wine professional can be easier said than done, when a bottle or a gathering are never far away.
The occasions where wine is consumed can be located in the most spectacular geographical locations. Your neighbors at the table may be idols or respected professionals you have always wanted to meet, or owners or leaders of producers you may have long admired. The meal or setting can be a once- destination or occasion. The company can be your most beloved, or just a future love affair waiting to unfold. Wine is an alive creation of nature, beauty, history, culture and memories.
For many wine professionals, moderation is simply not an option, particularly for those in recovery, or with alcohol use disorder. As professionals, we take these subjects very seriously and recognize the inherent dangers associated with overconsumption. It’s one of the issues we wanted to tackle at the beginning of ABG, and it’s why we will continue to write and advocate for a more educated, inclusive and compassionate industry to better understand the nuances of this subject.
But moderation goes beyond just how much we drink; it's also about how we approach our work and consumption habits — food, community, media — in general. Moderation requires intention of thought and action, healthy boundaries, and discipline.
To that end, it matters to see powerful industry leaders lead by example. A prime example and role model, for me, is octogenarian and Napa Valley vintner, Michael Mondavi, who has been pouring rosé over ice, emptying wine into spittoons, and adding water to his own wine glass for decades. He proudly named his Isabel Mondavi Rosé poured over ice "Isabel Rocks" in honor of his wife.
There’s plenty of ways to explore a moderate drinking lifestyle, so be adventurous. Ask for the non-alcohol offerings in the restaurant, seek out the NA section in the retail store, or get online to discover some great low and no-alcohol brands. There’s plenty to be explored.
In 2020, ABG signed on as a supporter of Wine in Moderation (WiM) - a non-profit wine organization based in Brussels, committed to fostering responsible wine consumption through partnerships, education, and research. The Group is funded by industry through membership fees, and contributions from various wine organizations and partners.
This Friday November 8 marks the second annual celebration of World Wine in Moderation Day. The tagline for this year's celebration is, “The greatest wine? The one that you will remember." You can read more about the campaign and the organization, HERE.
So from all of us here, if you choose to drink, do it with intention, in community, and make it memorable.
We are here to support you.
Namaste
ABG Reading from the Archive, on Moderation:
How to Put Mindful Drinking on Your 2021 List
Mindful Drinking: Time for a Mid-Year Tune-Up
Cue Verjus: The "Other Green Juice" We Should be Drinking More Of This Summer
Navigating a Drinker's Profession as a Non-Drinker
A Letter of Apology to Non-Drinkers in Wine - And Action Items For A Better Drinking Culture
Getting My Life Back: The Sinclair Method for Alcohol Use Disorder
