As the holiday season leaves us and a new year begins, many of our customers embrace Dry January, a movement that encourages a month-long break from alcohol, especially with alcohol-free choices available. When you think about it, you might say “this would be a quiet time for a wine shop”, but over the years it has actually become quite the opposite. The rise of non-alcoholic beverages has transformed January (and months beyond) into an exciting month of discovery for both us and our customers, especially in Canada. Through new products, sampling, and events, we are discovering an exciting world of zero-proof beverages that please the palate without the buzz.
Here at Market Wines, we understand that enjoying a good drink doesn’t always have to involve alcohol. The growing world of the non-alcoholic industry offers something for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast, a craft beer lover, or someone looking to elevate their mocktail game. Rest assured, all products we endorse or sell we taste ourselves, so we can say, with confidence, that these alcohol-free wines and beers are worth trying!
In this blog, we’ll explore non-alcoholic beverages, discuss the incredible variety of non-alcoholic beverages available, and share tips on how to enjoy them during this mindful month and beyond.
Table of contents:
-
The Growing World of Non-Alcoholic Beverages
1. Best Selling Non-Alcoholic Wines
-Our Recommendations
2. Non-Alcoholic Beer
-Our Recommendations
3. Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Cocktails and RTD’s
-Our Recommendations -
How to Enjoy Dry January with Non-Alcoholic Options
1. Join us for Non Alcoholic tastings
2. Host a Non-Alcoholic Party at home
3. Pair Non-Alcoholic Wines with Meals
4. Ask for Options When Dining Out -
Beyond Dry January, what’s next?
-
Market Wines: Meet The New Additions to Your Collection
The Growing World of Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Gone are the days when your only non-alcoholic choices were water, soda, or overly sweet fruit juices. The non-alcoholic beverage industry has exploded with creative and high-quality options that cater to every palate, including a wide range of alcohol-free wines that also pair well with food. Here’s a small sneak peek of non-alcoholic products we are proud to carry at Market Wines.
Best Selling Non-Alcoholic Wines
For wine lovers, non-alcoholic wine is a game-changer. You no longer need to fear that you are just drinking a sweet Welch’s Grape juice- because no one wants that! These are not just grape juice substitutes—they’re crafted with the same care as traditional wines. Many wines start as alcoholic wines, with the alcohol gently removed to preserve the flavor, aroma, and complexity: thus they leave a great taste on the palate and will have you coming back for more.
Our Recommendations:
• Prima Pave Sparkling Rose Dolce: Made with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc & Gewrztraminer. Delicately sweet flavours of candied lychee, strawberry jam, blood orange and rose. They are the perfect bubbles for anytime.
• L’Arjolle Merlot Grenache Zero: Ripe berry fruit, fresh with a soft mouthfeel, some refined tannin, and a medium-bodied finish, perfect for pairing with food. Pair with charcuterie, or your favorite pasta or pizza!
• Leitz Riesling Non-Alcoholic: The Leitz Riesling Non-Alcoholic offers an appealing character with fresh notes of lime and citrus, accompanied by little hints of red apples on an underlying mineral base, making it a great choice for tasting non-alcoholic wine. Pair with a fresh salad, fried chicken or sushi.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
Craft breweries, especially here in YYC, have embraced the non-alcoholic movement, creating beers that deliver all the flavor and texture without the booze. From IPAs to lagers, the options are endless.
Our Recommendations:
• Phillips IOTA Pilsner: This non-alcoholic beer pours pale straw in color, with an east and effervescent mouthfeel. The body is light, and malt driven. On the finish, smooth German hop notes compliment this even-keeled and delicious lager, which has a touch of sweetness.
• CRFT Blonde Non-Alcoholic: This golden ale is crispy, dry, and balanced with a slight fresh-baked biscuit finish, a top contender among non alcoholic beers. It has hints of honeycomb and bread. Lightly hopped and malt-forward, the Blonde ale is refreshingly well-balanced.
• Tuesday Paradisco Hazy IPA: Laden with hops, this tropical creation delivers a juicy disco of tangerine, mango, stone fruit, and a hint of pine, making it a fantastic choice to pair with different types of food. This hazy NAIPA hits all the right spots with a soft, pillowy mouthfeel and just enough carbonation to pep up those taste buds, making it a great choice for anyone really enjoying non-alcoholic beverages.
Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Cocktails and RTD’s
If you’re a cocktail lover, the world of non-alcoholic is your oyster. From canned cocktails to spirits, the options are sophisticated, distilled beverages which mimic the flavours of traditional spirits, making them perfect for those who wants to drink zero alcohol.
Our Recommendations:
• Ole Non-Alcoholic Paloma: A smooth, vibrant Paloma created with fresh juice, and a touch of organic agave nectar. Perfected with a pinch of sea salt. Enjoy on your next taco night!
• ISH Caribbean Spiced Rum: Vanilla from the Sava region of Madagascar, Indonesian nutmeg and baked apple come together to create the lush, complex flavour of a classic spiced Rum.
• ISH Alcohol Free Spritz: As manager Abi says “It’s the perfect Apreol Spritz without the buzz”. Balanced bitterness and fresh citrus is what makes this a good Italian Spritz.
These spirits open a world of creativity, allowing you to mix, garnish, and sip just like you would with traditional cocktails.
How to Enjoy Dry January with Non-Alcoholic Options
At Market Wines we believe that Dry January should be about enjoyment, not restriction. Check out out events for January dry movement of non-alcoholic drinks tastings. Here are some tips to make the most of your month:
1. Join us for Non Alcoholic tastings
From wine tasting, to food pairing events, we are hosting Non-Alcoholic tasting all month long. Click here to find all the details on all the events!
2. Host a Non-Alcoholic Party at home
Come visit us in store and let our team help you select the perfect items for an at home tasting. Plus, when you shop with us this month, you will get 10% off all non-alcoholic products! It’s the best time to try them out.
3. Pair Non-Alcoholic Wines with Meals
Just like traditional wines, non-alcoholic wines can elevate your dining experience. Pair a non-alcoholic red with hearty pasta dishes or a sparkling rosé with salads and seafood.
4. Ask for Options When Dining Out
Many restaurants and bars now offer non-alcoholic options. In fact, many of our fave YYC restaurant have full mocktail menus which allows you to explore different flavours to pair with your meal. Don’t hesitate to ask your server for recommendations or explore their mocktail menu.
Beyond Dry January, what’s next?
For many, Dry January is just the beginning. The growing sober-curious movement encourages people to rethink their relationship with alcohol year-round. Whether you continue to explore non-alcoholic options regularly or return to moderate drinking, the key is to make choices that align with your lifestyle and goals.
Market Wines: Meet The New Additions to Your Collection
Ready to dive into our rich flavours of non-alcoholic drinks?
At Market Wines, we’re here to support you on this journey. We’ve curated a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages to ensure you never feel like you’re missing out. Whether it’s January or July, we believe that everyone deserves a drink that brings joy, flavor, and a sense of occasion—alcohol not required.
We invite you to visit Market Wines this January to explore our selection of non-alcoholic wines, beers, spirits, and more, including the best non-alcoholic wine in Calgary. Whether you’re a seasoned Dry January participant or simply curious, we’re here to help you discover drinks you’ll love. Contact us for any queries regarding any events or collection of non alcoholic drinks.
Here’s to a month—and a year—of mindful sipping!
Read our other blogs for more expert insights: