Valerie Bertinelli Reveals the Surprising Reason Why She Stopped Drinking Alcohol Almost 1 Year Ago (Exclusive)

While at the 'Food & Wine' Classic in Charleston, Bertinelli spoke with PEOPLE about aging, menopause and going alcohol-free

It's been almost a year since Valerie Bertinelli had a sip of alcohol, and she says she's happier than ever.

While at the inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Sept. 28, the newest member of The Drew Barrymore Show's roster of experts shared a big motivator when she decided to stop drinking alcohol 8 months ago.

“I actually think a lot of it has to do with aging," Bertinelli, 64, tells PEOPLE. "I think the older you get, the less you really want to really be putting that in your body. I mean, anybody can do whatever the heck they want, but I feel better."

Now that several months have passed since she gave up alcohol, Bertinelli says she rarely craves a glass of wine or drink anymore.

“I don't miss it because I don't miss how it actually made me feel either after having it or the next day,” says Bertinelli.

In early September, PEOPLE exclusively announced the former Food Network star is the newest “Drew Crew” member, and will make regular appearances on Barrymore's show on different lifestyle segments. Her favorites so far have been those surrounding wellness.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Shares the Biggest Change She’s Noticed Since Going Alcohol-Free Over Six Months Ago (Exclusive)

“Drew tackles subjects that I wish I had heard about 10 years ago, like menopause alone,” she says. “She tackles subjects that not a lot of people do, and she does it with such grace and such vulnerability and authenticity to her and that all of us can relate to. I love being there.”

Opening up so candidly on the talk show, she says, has helped inform her about her own experiences with menopause.

“I love being able to talk about it because things are happening to my body. I ask my doctor but he's just, like, ‘I don't know,’” she says. “So it's fun to talk to other women that are going through the same thing and we can relate and we can say, ‘Oh my God, [I] don't feel alone.’”

At the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, fellow Drew Crew team member Ross Mathews also caught up with PEOPLE — and revealed he’s elated to have Bertinelli join him on the show.

"She's been family for me for a long time," says Mathews, 45. "I've known her. But the second she walked into our studio, it was like, ‘Welcome home.’ Everybody felt it, and it just made so much sense."

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Joins The Drew Barrymore Show as a Regular Lifestyle Expert (Exclusive)

Earlier this summer, the Hot in Cleveland alum opened up to PEOPLE about her alcohol-free journey and the noticeable changes it’s brought to her everyday life.

“Even with life struggles and how life can be challenging, I find that it is easier to get myself clearer faster, about what I need to do and taking care of my life,” she said. “I feel good when I wake up in the morning. I'm not groggy. I'm not tired. I'm not: ‘What did I do last night?’”

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Bertinelli said she considers herself “one of the lucky ones.”

“I don't think I ever really had a problem [with alcohol] and that's why it was a bit, I don't want to say easy, but it was an easier path for me to start with dry January,” she said, adding. “And then go, ‘Well, I'm halfway through February, now I might as well just keep going.' And now for me, I kind of make a game of it.”

The Food & Wine Classic in Charleston is taking place now September 27-29.

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