This blog post is in collaboration with Good Clean Wine. All thoughts & opinions are my own. A note before we begin. . . I always want to present information that may be helpful to those who choose to incorporate certain things into their lifestyle. Responsibly consuming wine is a personal choice for me. Because of this, I seek out high quality products that I can feel good about. The more educated we are on the products we consume the better choices we can make for our body! A healthy lifestyle may not include alcohol for some. As always, do what's best for your body. B.C.W. - Before Clean WineAs I wander the wine & liquor aisles, I'm always taken aback by the sheer mass of product available. It's like the cereal isle....something marketed toward each of us. It's difficult to discern a high quality product vs. high marketing budgets. Up until about a year ago, I was simply wandering the aisles picking up a bottle of the most visually appealing, the one I saw on an ad or something a friend recommended. To be really honest…I NEVER thought about looking at a wine label or reading about a wine’s origin. These random wines always left me feeling yuck....I often found myself with a major headache the next day (or even an hour later). I would relate this thought process to using the same mascara for ten years. The mascara probably isn’t the greatest brand or quality but it’s a source of comfort. You don’t have to think about it when restocking your beauty items. Once we purchase a brand a few times it becomes a habit. Something we don't even consider. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to buy a product based on great packaging, ease of access or the fact that it’s on sale. Wine (or alcohol) can vary widely in quality similar to bottled water. While the alcohol industry is heavily regulated there is a list of ingredients allowed in wine that are non-grape. Wine makers don’t have to list these ingredients on the wine label or anywhere. The only way to know what is and what isn’t is to know the wine maker. So a little research is essential. Good news: I’ve done the work for you!! One evening -roaming the aisles- I was searching for a new wine. One that was more thoughtfully produced, that might leave me feeling ok. I came across Good Clean Wine. I was actually drawn in by the label (so fun) but did turn the bottle around. Funny enough I had seen this exact wine on Instagram! One of the founders of Good Clean Wine is a 417 local. Long story short....tried it, was hooked instantly (no headaches!) & scoured the city for the remaining bottles. {Don't worry they ship across the U.S.} SO it’s time to think about what YOU'RE sipping on. Let's eliminate wine side effects ok? Be more mindful about the wine you consume. It does matter. Drinking wine isn’t considered a “healthy” habit. But, if your life includes a glass or two why not have it be the best possible wine? Good Clean Wine is a better option! What is clean wine & what should I look for?![]() After years of cleaning up my diet (more organic, less processed), home products & beauty routine I've finally set my sights on incorporating clean wine. I enjoy pouring a cold glass of white wine & relaxing by the fire pit with my husband. Celebrating milestones or holidays with a glass of rosé in hand. Or simply pouring a splash of red while I cook my family dinner. Over the last year I've realized this is a habit that needs to be in the realm of the rest of my healthy habits. So where to begin? Let's discuss the high points to looks for: Low sulfite content, no preservatives or sugar added - Good Clean Wine is clean without any added sugar or concentrates, no sulfites added at fermentation, no dye, no fake flavor, no tartaric acid. Minimal Intervention - Means less hands & chemicals on the grapes themselves. Sustainable & organic farming practices - Good Clean Wine comes from two lessor known wine regions in Italy. Where farmers choose minimal intervention for their product & have a true respect for the land it comes from. Organic practices and biodiverse agricultural are implemented along the wine making process. Lush, lively, overgrown farms dedicated to producing wine just like their family before them. No additives - dyes, coloring or flavors -The flavors of the grape (as intended) shine through in it's purest form. Many conventional wines contain colors (to deepen reds) or artificial flavors to enhance the palatability. If you want to learn more about clean wine & how it's made....I suggest reading this blog post Good Clean Wine Making . Very informative! They even have bionic leaves in the vineyard that monitor the vineyard humidity level!!! *Other names you might hear related to clean wines: biodynamic, organic, vegan or sustainable. These are somewhat flexible terms that can be used without restriction in some cases. Obtaining such certifications (such as organic) can be very costly for these small farms. So some brands like Good Clean Wine opt to adopt many of these practices without the official certification. What does it taste like & |
Hi I'm Kelsey.
I help busy women embrace cooking at home with my fuss-free family recipes! Archives
November 2022
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