After weeks of holiday revelry, January has become a popular time to reset — a monthlong palate cleanser-turned-ritual for rethinking what and how we drink.
No one understands that more than Tom and Alexandra Schoenberger, the spouses and co-owners behind Westside Wine & Spirits in St. Louis Park. The bottle shop and its sister wine bar have a big list of options for drinkers who are curious about life beyond booze, whether for an evening, the month or long term.
“We planted a flag when we first opened,” aiming to stock “interesting things that you can bring to celebrations or have daily in the fridge,” said Tom Schoenberger, who does not drink alcohol.
He’s noticing customers are drawn to these drinks, even beyond January. “Having more alternatives that are refreshing and maybe flavor-profile driven, rather than trying to be alcohol — that’s what people are really responding to,“ he said.
As more people try the NA life on for size this month, here are Westside’s five picks for Dry January.
1. For bubble lovers
For shoppers looking for a traditional sparkling wine experience, Oddbird Blanc de Blancs tops Schoenberger’s list. The Swedish brand makes real wine first, then removes the alcohol — but not before aging it in oak.
“It adds a lot of structure and body and balance that you don’t get in a normal NA wine,” Schoenberger said. “These guys have figured out a trick to it, and it’s really good.”
And in an “even tie,” he’d also recommend Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company’s bottles of fizzy tea blends that come in festive champagne-like vessels, cork and all. Also available in smaller format splits, the teas mix puckery acidity and vibrant bubbles like the most easy-drinking Proseccos, making them ideal for special occasions.
