Can You Still Enjoy Wine While On Mounjaro?

We look at the ways you can keep your passion for wine alive while taking GLP-1 drugs

Many of us have decided to beat the bulge with the help of tirzepatides or semaglutides, more commonly known as Mounjaro, Ozempic or Wegovy. But when these weight-loss aids do their work they limit not just your appetite for food, but for wine too.

So, can you still enjoy a decent glass of something while watching your weight?

Some users of weight-loss drugs anecdotally report that food they once enjoyed now tastes different, and more than that, unappealing. Commonly reported changes are a reduction in sweet and fatty taste appeal, while one study showed that people on weight-loss drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists) had a reduced ability to perceive all five basic tastes (sweet, sour, salt, bitterness, umami).

How does this affect wine? Luckily, wine tends not to be deemed ‘fatty’, and all but the stickiest dessert wines are commonly thought of as ‘dry’ not sweet. But how can you boost your pleasure if your palate has been dulled? Here’s our top tips for still getting the most out of your favourite wines, while keeping an eye on your waistline too.

Decant your wine

Many wines benefit from being decanted – poured out of the bottle and into a jug or decanter for an hour or two before serving. Wine lovers talk about the flavours ‘opening up’ during decanting, but this doesn’t just apply to old or expensive wines. Almost all wines will benefit from letting them breathe for a little while before pouring, and doing so will intensify their flavour and help “blow off” any overtly tannic or alcoholic aspects. If your palate is dulled, then helping to boost the flavours in your glass by getting some air into it, can only be a good thing.

Use the right glass for the job

Fancy glasses aren’t just for showing off at dinner parties. Larger bowls and thinner rims can magnify aroma and texture perception, which helps when your palate is muted. Glasses designed for Pinot Noir tend to be tulip-shaped, with the large bowl helping to aerate the wine and develop the flavours, while the tapering shape concentrates and traps the aromas, helping you take it all in. The narrow rim also means the wine hits the taste receptors at the back of your tongue, giving you the best possible chance of enjoying your wine.

Stay hydrated

A dry mouth is a common side-effect of taking GLP-1 drugs, and that change means you perceive the ‘mouthfeel’ of wines differently (ie the viscosity or body of the wine). Make sure you drink lots of water, as staying hydrated will help combat your dry mouth and therefore improve the ‘mouthfeel’ of the wine.

Experiment and explore

Not loving the heavy red you used to? Maybe move away from the overly tannic (which can taste metallic when on Mounjaro) wines and experiment with different styles. You may find you now prefer more aromatic wines such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer or Albarino (and take the time to enjoy those aromatics too before you sip). Or, if you prefer reds, try Pinot Noirs or a lighter Grenache which have more lifted perfumes. And don’t forget that higher acid wines, such as Champagnes, Sauvignon Blancs or Barberas, can cut through palate dullness and refresh the mouth. If an old favourite feels ‘off’ now you’re on weight-loss drugs, treat it as an opportunity to broaden your palate and try something new.

And finally… it might seem counter-intuitive, but pair wine with food

Wine’s role in food pairing becomes even more important when tastes shift – acid, tannin and umami interactions can elevate both the dish and wine. So, if your appetite is reduced, and your palate is muted, now is the time to make what you do eat count, flavour-wise. Smaller, more carefully planned, meals, with the right wine to match, will help you through your weight-loss journey without losing too much of what makes life worth living – good food, and great wine!

If you'd like to try one of our carefully curated wine and food pairing dinners click here.