It's a problem we all face: how do you enjoy sipping wine with friends all night long, without becoming too inebriated, or dealing with a gruesome hangover the following day?

Blame it on whatever you want, but the culprit for most hangovers is dehydration. When you're drinking big, 14% ABV wines with a high amount of residual sugar, especially in mass quantity – it's going to make your mouth as dry as the Sahara desert while feeling like you've just been hit by a freight train the following morning.

A not so new trend that battles debilitating hangovers – popular amongst wine aficionados – is a beverage known as "Piquette". Formerly referred to as "slave wine" – winemakers would take the already fermented grape skins, known as the pomace, and rehydrate them. This would encourage secondary fermentation to occur, resulting in a refreshing drink they could serve to their vineyard laborers.  

It's delightfully spritzy, juicy and low alcohol – somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-7%. 

It makes for a perfect aperitif for events of all kinds, without any of the guilt, even if you polish off 3 or 4 bottles (or more – no judgment). It's also far more cost-effective than the average bottle of wine (in the neighborhood of $10-15, more or less depending on where you purchase it).

There are only a few producers in BC making it at the moment – Else Wines and Bella – but keep your eye out as more wineries jump on this sure to be popular style.