Come on, let’s admit it – health, exercise and fitness are a part of our New Year resolution every year. Till the weekend beckons. You scour for current events in Hyderabad, come across irresistible deals for late night pubs in Hyderabad, find a great deal, and wham! There your resolution drowns – preferably in a shot of the smoothest whiskey.
But, did you know you could drink alcohol the healthy way? OK, you can go back and read that statement again. Organic alcohol, which began its journey with a few sour wines and insipid brews, is quickly gaining loyalties of health and climate enthusiasts alike. If you are neither, give it a try just so that you can drink up guilt free, and avoid that hangover which feels like an inferno.
While having fun without regret is a plausible consideration that is more than enough – still, among the many other reasons these 5 are the most compelling:
The beauty in simplicity – When you opt for organic food, you are essentially allowing every cell in your body nourishment naturally – no hormones, artificial chemicals, stabilisers added. Which is the same with spirits too – organic brews use organically grown grains and/or fruits, and pampers them with slow, open air fermentation – where every molecule in the liquid is in a state that is ready to make you happy as it courses down your throat. Truly the spirit equivalent of a salad.
Au-Naturale – Organic wine is mandated to be free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which means, artificial yeasts cannot be used in the fermentation process of making the liquor. Remember that when anything is truly natural and not forced, it takes time but the results are beautiful. Many breweries and organic wine makers use natural yeasts, which are released during the crushing, process of the grain or fruit, which catalyses the breakdown of sugars into alcohol.
Bio-dynamic brewing – Organic brews are made from organically grow grains and grapes or other fruits. Which means, instead of commercial farms with machine intensive harvesting procedures, where harmful pesticides and GM crops are cultivated, organic farming practices employ green manures, need lesser water, and deploy insects that act as natural pesticides – thereby creating a happy little eco-system? These practices have many benefits including helping to fertilize the soil, maintaining better quality topsoil long-term, naturally managing weeds and insects, and promoting biodiversity. This lack of manipulation in the field and the brewery or wine cellar results in a product that is real, and a wonderful expression of both the soil and the fruit/grain. Good for you, good for the planet!
Drink to your health – If you are the kind who likes to unwind with a glass or two of your favorite wine, we have great news! The health benefits of wine have been around for quite some time now. While regular wines contain up to 70 added ingredients — including unnatural yeasts, preservatives, food dyes, residual pesticides, added sulphites, and sometimes sugar, organic wine (certified organic) is free from GMOs, has no added sulphites (the culprit behind those next morning blinding headaches), contains anti-oxidants (hello anti-ageing!), vitamins and reduces risk of heart disease. Further, research shows that Resveratrol, which can be found in red wine, has been known to lower cholesterol and help prevent cancer, but is not found in large measures in non-organic wine. Organic wine, on the other hand can retain up to 32% more of it.You can find late night pubs in Hyderabad where you get your organic and favourite wine.
Show me the proof? – So, is everything organic when it has a fancy, rustic packaging, and labels that say organic actually an outcome of natural processes? No. In order to maintain their organic status, organic breweries, vineyards must be inspected and go through a certification process -be it the USDA or EU organic certifications, or FSSAI (even imported food products go through organic food certifications in India).
Certified organic brews/wines also have lesser sugar on an average and cannot contain potentially harmful cellar/brewing additives such as stabilizers, flavoring agents like malice acid or food graded coloring like mega purple.
Good wine, great taste:
It is a generally accepted fact that the flavour profile and taste of an organic liquor is unique, and far superior, reflecting its origins – the luscious fruit and the soil terroir. There is a distinct difference in taste due to lower levels of sulphites, are fresher, are livelier, lighter on t palate, and have a better “mouth feel”
Pair them with the right foods, and trust us you will have a meal or a night to remember. The market for organic liquors is largely that of wines, and almost all of it is imported. Currently, it has an elitist tag to it, and may take a while for it to get mainstream. However, the next time you wish to indulge in “organic” and want to give yourself that well deserved pampering, you know what to do!
