Alcohol free wine

Once upon a time I had a hectic social life  For over 15 years I ran a social/singles group which was very rewarding. We used to throw a number of parties at home every year and depending on the time of year would have jugs of sangria or of Glühwein or other punches but we would also have non alcoholic punches or sangria style drinks which were equally popular. Typically we would have about 15 guests but only 5 drivers but the non alcohol or low alcohol were popular with both. Many guests used to bring additional wines which were often left behind unopened and used by me in cooking. 

My partner does not drink alcohol and has not for well over 15 years except probably three a year with white wine and soda, a christmas glass and perhaps an Irish Coffee. I, on the other hand like a scotch or three quite often. When we went out with friends regularly my usual tipple was soda water with a slice and a couple of doubles later after returning home. I have bought non alcoholic wines but found the low alcohol wines more acceptable. 

For most of my working life my licence has been essential and I have been careful with regards to drinking and driving and have been breathalysed on 4 occasions for those that think it rare. 

An admission however and probably why I am careful! A few years after my wife's death when my youngest was no longer at home I suffered depression and for 9 months I doubt I would have passed a breathalyser test. I would come home from work, take the top off a bottle of scotch and throw it over my shoulder. It always hit the bin!! When I came out of depression I went tea total for a year and now for the last 20 years enjoy my one, two or three doubles. 

So to sum up I would prefer a low alcohol wine to a non alcohol wine. 

When OH was still serving in the armed forces, we used to attended a fair amount of dinners.

From our home to his barracks was a 1 hr drive, if we decided to return home after one of the dinners (rather than stay over) it meant one of us had to drive and not drink. 

As I'm not really interested in drinking, I used to do the driving but to look sociable while at the dinner table I drank non alcoholic wine. I actually preferred it to alcoholic wine. 

Fliss doesn't like driving at night but no problem as I like a good soda water!

Grief is a funny old thing, my Dad died 23 years ago, I still shed a tear to this day, no idea why, usually when I'm alone driving back up in my truck, just creeps up on me.

Long before I was born my Dad had a brother, may aswell have been twins, they spent every hour together, even after my Dad married Mum. Both his brother and Dad had motorbikes, this is back early 60's and 50's, fanatics they where.

The story goes off went the brother to Spain for a holiday, a rare thing in about 1962, he was afraid of cars, but non the less he and his partner hired one to do a bit of touring, and because of his fear, on went the seat belt, not compulsory back then. They had an accident, it was the seat belt that killed him! 

Well my Dad as you, became depressed and  he too took to drink, my Mum became frantic, so her plan, me!

Along I came, as soon as I could toddle that was it, inseparable we where, Dad and me forever! I left school at 16 Dad had me work with him. When I started my own family, I bought a house next door but 3 to my Dad, you get the picture.

He died 23 years ago, Cancer. Very sudden, tore me apart, but I knew he died with regrets in how he had lived part of his life. So I learnt from that, live each day being the best Husband, father I can, doing within reason what ever I want to do, when the clock strikes midnight you dont get to live that day again, so sod it, I'll lead the charge against life!

No regrets.

Darren.

Ps, just because we have had a bit of a love in, changes nowt, still think your a cranky sod 😁

I am not sure I see the point of Alcohol Free Wine is. The whole point of drinking wine is the enjoy where it comes from and what sort of grape it made from. I have tried a few low alcohol wines and they have been awful, I think I would prefer to drink water! If you have to drive the answer is not to drink, only drink in such small quantities that it won't affect your driving the next day. It's only a question of organisation. 

We have friends in the south of France near Carcasonne that we visit each September. Last year we went as a group of 6 to an 'all inclusive/fixed price' restaurant and as nominated driver I had the introductory welcome drink and one glass of wine all night. When we left around 11pm we were literally in the middle of nowhere and flashing blues appeared in the mirror "Oh Great!" They flew past and a mile or so later we were stopped by police, ambulance and fire brigade - car upside down in ditch. I'm sure I would have passed the breathaliser but it was a wake up call. 

Would I pay for alcohol free wine - doubt it. Glass of water would do. 

Some of the alcohol free wines are pretty good, Eisberg is I think a popular one, from Germany.

When DD was pregnant we bought some alcohol free wines, and toasted her announcement that it would be a boy with an alcohol free champagne.

Later, as the birth was imminent, her husband was not allowed to drink alcohol in case he had to rush her to hospital, so he took to alcohol free beer, and he still often drinks it.  Lower  in calories, so he lost weight.

My friend in Wales, and his wife, have recently been diagnosed as diabetic, so they are now on the alcohol free wines and beers.

There are quite a few low alcohol wines, often fruit wines, and we do enjoy them, they are about 5%, so lower than other wines,  They do vary greatly, one we tried was just like water, so will not buy that again!

Agree David, the non Alcohol wines are terrible. If I am driving I much prefer to stick to mineral water. I particularly liked Badoit (been buying it for years) but recently that seems to have disappeared from all the supermarkets.☹️ No idea why, the BInL says they are still stacked high on promotion in Intermarche.🤔

In the past I have tried Clausthaler alcohol free beer and it made me very muzzy which is strange given that it has no alcohol? If we go out for a meal where I have to drive I will restrict myself to one pint of beer/lager of the lowest strength I can find and will make that last all through the meal.

David

I tend to be only one glass of wine even if I'm not driving although, if not driving, I may extend that to a large glass.