This article is sponsored by Mind & Body Wines.
*Mind & Body Wines per 5 fl oz. Average Analysis: 9.0% Alcohol by Volume, Calories 90, Carbohydrates 4.87g, Fat 0g, Protein <1.0g
With the holiday season in the rearview mirror and winter firmly upon us, it’s time to double down on your New Year’s resolution to make healthier choices. Fortunately, it’s never been easier or more satisfying.
Long behind us are the days of joyless dishes devoid of flavor and vibrancy. The internet is now replete with fresh, simple, vegetable-forward recipes, there are a variety of plant-based alternate meat options to choose from, and there’s an ever- increasing number of food companies making thoughtful products with ingredients you can pronounce.
But with our newly upgraded lifestyle are we stricken to drinking water with every meal? Alcohol, best consumed in small quantities, is often the calorie culprit that tips the balance of our wellness-driven eating. For those mindful drinkers who still want to have a glass of wine with dinner, there’s the new Mind & Body Wines from a family-owned Napa Valley winery.
Mind & Body Wines was one of the first to implement a patented technology — called the spinning cone column — that can partly remove alcohol and calories while safeguarding the aromas and flavors of the wine. The dealcoholized wine is then combined with traditionally crafted wine to dial in the desired lower-alcohol content.
All Mind & Body wines are under 10 percent alcohol by volume, vegan, gluten free, non-GMO and contain no added sugar. These wines, which are also keto and paleo friendly, have only 90 calories per glass (depending on how big your pour is), whereas traditional wines typically range from 120 to 130 calories.
Mind & Body Wines has released three wines: Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Crafted in California, each is certain to please any palate. For the red grape enthusiast, the full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of black cherry, green olive, and vanilla and is smooth on the palate. When you want to relive the good weather days, pop open a bottle of Pinot Grigio or Rosé. Both are cold-fermented to maintain their crisp flavors and bright acidity. The Pinot Grigio bursts with hints of pear, flowers, and tropical fruits like mango and peach. The Rosé is summer in a glass, with floral aromas and juicy strawberry and raspberry flavors.
Now that you’ve filled your glass, what’s for dinner? Here are six healthy dishes to pair with Mind & Body Wines so you can stay mindful while living life to the fullest.
WITH MIND & BODY PINOT GRIGIO:
Baked Mahi-Mahi with Pesto
Stirred into pasta or drizzled over vegetables or omega-3-packed baked fish like mahi-mahi, pesto (made from basil, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts) makes an excellent flavor booster. And it’s a natural for a crisp, refreshing Pinot Grigio.
Jerk Shrimp Tacos
No matter the season, tacos are a great vehicle for all sorts of good-for-you fillings. Toss fresh shrimp in Jamaican jerk spice, and then put them on the grill with some pineapple wheels. Serve this with warm corn tortillas. The tropical flavors of the Pinot Grigio will temper the kick of the shrimp, and the wine’s acidity will cleanse your palate. Add grilled vegetables, like jicama or corn, or make a citrusy cabbage slaw to double the flavor without adding calories.
WITH MIND & BODY ROSÉ:
Pasta Primavera
Vegetable-packed pastas are a smart way to load up on greens. In the winter, sauté beet tops, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli and mix with a judicious helping of linguine. Mind & Body’s Rosé is cold-fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to keep the flavors bright and fresh — ideal with all sorts of vegetables.
Vegetable & Rosemary Focaccia
Listen, it might be cold out, but we can still pretend it’s June. Made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, and Zinfandel, Mind & Body’s Rosé is a welcome complement to the crunch of roasted veggies seasoned with rosemary. Simply bake your favorite focaccia recipe, topped with shaved rainbow carrots, zucchini, winter squash, and fresh rosemary. Sprinkle it with a tiny bit of feta cheese for some extra tang.
WITH MIND & BODY CABERNET SAUVIGNON:
Grilled Eggplant
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t be grilling. Eggplant seasoned with cumin and fennel seeds and a little char from the grill is hearty enough to pair with the full-bodied flavors of black cherry, dried herbs, and hints of vanilla in Mind & Body’s Cabernet Sauvignon.
Roasted Beet Salad with Shallots
Full of vitamins and minerals, raw beets are said to support exercise performance by improving oxygen use in the body, making them a smart ingredient in morning smoothies. For dinner, roast some whole beets in tin foil until fully cooked. Once cool, slice the beets and layer onto your favorite greens, such as arugula or butter lettuce, with sautéed shallots. Add some pomegranate seeds for crunch and sweetness and toss with a sherry vinaigrette. The sweet and savory flavors of roasted beets and shallots will be an excellent companion to Mind & Body’s smooth, earthy Cabernet Sauvignon.
