If you could enjoy a few glasses of wine in your 20s with barely a hangover, but today your capacity is one, max – you’re not alone. ‘As we get older, our bodies simply process alcohol differently,’ explains Dr Hannah Burrage, lead GP, Kry Livi. ‘We naturally lose muscle mass and gain a bit more fat, and because alcohol dissolves in water rather than fat, that means it’s more concentrated in our system – so the same glass of wine at 70 hits harder than it did at 40.’

Dame Joanna Lumley, 80, has shared in an interview with Woman and Home that: ‘I try not to pop the first bottle of Champagne until after midday. I don’t always succeed. When I take it out of the fridge and it’s got my fingerprints on it, I think, “How much harm could one small glass do?” Truthfully, I’ve never really drunk much. I can’t stand feeling woozy and I can’t bear drunken people, so I’ve never gone down that [route]. I have a glass and that’s it.’

And her moderate approach is something we should all be aiming for as we age. ‘It’s not about denying yourself,’ says Dr Burrage, ‘it’s about knowing your limits have shifted and choosing to enjoy that one drink properly, rather than several that you’ll feel the next morning.’

‘Our liver’s ability to break down alcohol slows down with age, so it stays in our bloodstream for longer. That’s before you even factor in that many of us are on medications by our 60s and 70s, which just don’t mix well with alcohol. Know that your one drink today isn’t the same as your one drink 20 years ago, and that’s not a bad thing to make peace with.’

Want to cut down? Here’s how.

‘The advice I give patients is less about cutting out alcohol and more about respecting that your body’s goalposts have moved,’ says Dr Burrage. ‘A single glass alongside dinner, rather than on an empty stomach, makes a real difference to how you feel the next day.

‘One thing patients don’t always expect is how much alcohol affects balance and sleep quality as we age. Even one extra drink can increase the risk of a fall, or leave you wide awake at 3am rather than getting the deep sleep your body needs to recover.’

‘There are cognitive effects, too – alcohol’s linked to memory problems and a higher risk of falls as we age. And by our 60s and 70s, many of us are on medications for long-term conditions that just don’t mix well with alcohol. All the more reason to think about cutting back: our bodies simply handle the after-effects less well, both physically and mentally.

‘Alcohol-free alternatives have improved so much that they’re a genuinely enjoyable option now, not just a compromise. It’s an easy way to keep the ritual of a drink without the physical toll.’

The GHI’s top five alcohol-free wines

Pinot Grigio Zero Alcohol 0% (6 x 75cl), Not Guilty amazon.co.uk

Score: 90/100

With an impressively high score, our experts thought this de-alcoholised, crisp white wine had a complex, herbaceous nose, reminiscent of a full-strength pinot grigio. Expect notes of lime peel, gooseberry and green tomato, perfect for pairing with seafood, salad and pasta.

Pinot Grigio Alcohol Free 0%, Ocado.com

Score: 82/100

Made with Sicilian grapes, this aromatic white wine is full of fresh, vibrant flavours such as bright citrus, peach and grapefruit. It’s on the sweeter side, which appealed to some, with a bit of acidity to lift. Come Monday morning, you’ll have zero regret that you switched to this the night before.

The Very Cautious One Gewurtz Riesling 0%, ocado.com
Score: 81/100

Gewurztraminer tends to be a complex grape with a powerful floral nose, and our panel found this well-balanced wine to be no exception. Perfectly refreshing when served chilled, it opens with rose and honeysuckle, moving towards a hint of spice on the finish. There’s certainly no need to be cautious around this one.

Signature Chardonnay 0%, amazon.co.uk

Score: 80/100

Eisberg’s alcohol-free chardonnay may be a little sweeter than its full-strength counterpart, but there are still satisfying notes of lemon sherbet, warming vanilla and peach, like you might find in the real deal.

Overall, our testing panel found this white wine had interesting complexity. Try it with creamy chicken pasta, or risotto.

Muscat 0%, Torres Natureo ocado.com

Score: 77/100

This muscat impressed our panel with its intense palate of candied lemon, ripe peach and orange blossom. Velvety smooth, we’d recommend pairing this sweeter style with nuttier cheeses, such as comté or gouda, for a post-dinner treat.