A Mindful Approach To Enjoying Your Wine All Year Round

Villa Graziella Organic 2018 Rosato Toscano IGT

Some people welcome the new year or a brand-new decade as an opportunity to make a fresh start and reset for a healthier life. In early 2018 we wrote about Dry January, Dryathlon, or as some call it, Dry-Detox. It goes by many names, but the idea is to start the year with a clean slate and abstain from alcohol for one month. The motivation for participating in Dry January, Dry July, or Sober October differs, but January is a popular month to practice this tradition. Many people choose to abstain in January after overindulging in food and drink during the holidays that occur November through December. A break from indulging is a welcome respite where one can cleanse the body and save money.

The practice of abstaining from alcohol started in the U.K. and is heavily promoted by the country’s public health system. In the U.S. there is a growing movement of one-month alcohol fasting by mild and moderate drinkers alike. Fasters report improved sleep, weight loss and a greater awareness of food and drinking habits. Some fasters do not complete a consecutive month without drinking, but find they drink and eat less in the six months that follow.

I should note the cultural difference between the U.S. and Italy. Instead of abstaining from alcohol for a month, Italians enjoy their alcohol (mainly wine) daily with food, but they do so mindfully and in moderation. Seasonal eating is an integral part of Italian culture, where food is clearly the protagonist, and alcohol and wine are supporting cast members. A practical approach is to decide on the dish first, and then choose the appropriate beverage depending on what tastes pair well together. Being able to enjoy a meal with mindfully paired food and wine all year round is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

In the U.K. journalists report Dry January affects the business of bars, restaurants, breweries, and pubs. Reports show during January traffic takes a deep dive. To deal with the sharp sales slump, bars and restaurants introduced a “Tryanuary” promotion inviting customers to try a mocktail, soft drink, or new beer as well as food specials.

Do you participate in dry-month abstinence? What’s your strategy and how are the results? Feel free to share with us. We love hearing from you!

May this year be a healthy one, with delicious food paired with great wine.

-Consuelo

Tariff Talk

We’ve been asked about the tariffs affecting our organic certified balsamic vinegar, olive oil & wine. Italy, the leading global exporter of wine into the U.S. was exempt from last fall’s proposed wine & olive oil tariffs. Fortunately, it appears the 100% tariff may be on hold until the end of 2020, an election year where agreements and deals are more valuable than trade wars. This is encouraging not just to those of us who produce and import wine but also for our retail, bar, and restaurant partners.

Chef Spotlight: Introducing Chef Cecelia Hamilton

The passion for cooking started at a young age for Cecelia Hamilton, where her mother Muriel shared the time-honored Southern tradition of preparing delicious food made with love for family and friends. Today, Chicago based Chef Cecelia carries on her Southern culinary legacy through her business Heartfelt Catering. Her mission is to create fresh, simple, and soulful food. All dishes whether gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian are made from scratch with fresh, natural, quality ingredients.

We recently enjoyed a wonderfully festive holiday meal lovingly prepared by Chef Cecelia Hamilton & Heartfelt Catering. One of the courses was a Warm Arugula Salad prepared with our Olio Nuovo Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Condimento Bianco -White Balsamic Vinegar. Fresh and delicious, we asked Chef Cecelia to share her recipe.

Check out Chef Cecelia's recipe!

Heartfelt Catering LLC-1640 W Hubbard Street, Suite G, Chicago, IL 60622

(312) 285-2681 orders@heartfeltcatering.com www.heartfeltcatering.com

THANK YOU, GRAZIE MILLE for helping us help others!

Paying it forward to support community groups and organizations dedicated to assisting others is important to us and a win for all! A few organizations you helped us support in 2019:

Is Dry-Detox For You?

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