The Health Benefits of Wine

When word got out about the health benefits of wine, most wine drinkers stopped swirling for a long minute and took notice.

It was the mid 90s when story of the "French Paradox" poured from all media sources, and wine drinkers across the world swirled and sipped and rejoiced.

In case you missed it, baffled researchers launched a study of French folk, trying to determine why people with diets so high in cheese fats were not suffering from more heart attacks.

8 Straight Benefits of Red Wine

Wine is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages on the planet. Its history spans thousands of years and while heavy drinking of any alcoholic beverage rather brings lots of health-related troubles instead of benefits, current research suggests that a glass of red wine each day may be providing you with more than just a little relaxation.

    * Reduced risk of death from nearly all causes: European researchers suggest that moderate daily intake of red wine (22-32 g of alcohol) has a protective effect on all-cause mortality. According to studies from France, UK, Finland and Denmark, moderate consumption of wine is more beneficial than that of beer or spirits.

    * Smoking: Acute smoking significantly impairs vessels' natural ability to relax, or vasodilate. Red wine, with or without alcohol, decreases the harmful effect of smoking on the endothelium - layer of cells that provide a friction-reducing lining in lymph vessels, blood vessels, and the heart.

Are There Health Benefits in Drinking White Wine?

Article by Beth Janicek
Edited & published by Daniella Nicole on Apr 30, 2010

Though red wine gets all the attention, there are several health benefits of white wine, too. Some are specific to wine, and others are true of any moderate alcohol consumption. From heart health and reducing cancer risk to overall stress reduction, learn about the health benefits of white wine.

The health benefits of white wine can be grouped into two categories: some because of its health properties as wine, and others because of the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption in general. Though based on fermented grapes, wine doesn't quite count as a serving of fruit. Instead, its health benefits come from the properties of those grapes after they have fermented.

Red wine versus white wine - is there a difference in health benefit?

Written by: Dr Philp Norrie MBBS, MSc, MSocSc(Hons)
   
Ever since Serge Reynaud's 'French Paradox' paper was published in The Lancet in 1991 wine consumers have had the mind set that only red wine is good for them. This article will show that it does not matter whether the wine is white or red as long as it is consumed in moderation and on a regular daily basis; then you will gain significant health benefits.

It has been well documented that consuming alcohol in moderation can reduce mortality from all causes by 30-50% (1) due, mainly, to reducing our society's biggest killer, cardiovascular disease by up to 50% (2) and cancer by up to 24% (3). It is also good for relieving society's other big disease group - stress related illness. Vascular disease occurs when bad cholesterol (LDL) is deposited in artery walls and swells up, eventually rupturing, causing a clot to form which blocks off the artery, and thus denying the tissue supplied by that artery of blood, hence it dies.

Sicily: The Ancient Volcanic Island

Sicily may be just another Italian island overshadowed by Italy’s famed enological reputation, but the Island boasts a wine producing tradition worthy of mention. While Sicily has gone through periods of prosperity and crises, it is finally coming out of the closet, or shall we say, the wine barrel, and today Sicilian wines are receiving accolades from acclaimed enologists, connoisseurs and chefs worldwide.

Sicily’s mild Mediterranean climate is ideal for certain varieties of grapes and it is best known for such wines as Malvasia made from grapes grown on the sunny Aeolian Islands; Zibibbo (zabib in Arabic), a sweet dessert wine whose history dates back to the Arab domain of the Island, and Marsala, named after the location in the Trapani region, it is a relative of Portuguese Port wine and was first discovered by several of English entrepreneurs travelling to Sicily who realized the market potential of this wine.

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is Italy's answer to refreshing, well-made sparkling wine at a reasonable price. Made primarily in the district of Valdobbiadene (Val-do-bi-ad-en-ay) near the town of Conegliano in the region of Veneto, Prosecco has quickly become one of the most successful sparkling wine types made today.

Prosecco is the name of the grape that is used to make this sparkling wine and many of the best examples are 100% Prosecco. As this is a grape that is prized for its delicate flavors and aromatics, the wine itself is not made in the classic method made famous in the Champagne district of France. Rather, the Charmat method of sparkling wine is used to make Prosecco as the classic Champagne method would mean aging the wine for several years before release, robbing the wine of its freshness.

Now while the Charmat method is used to make some pretty awful sparkling wine (think of the worst stuff you've ever had to gulp at a wedding reception), in this case the producers of Prosecco use this method to create some truly charming wines that are usually enjoyed within a year of the vintage, although the best can age for several years.

While there are some ordinary examples of Prosecco made, there are a handful of producers that consistently create first-rate examples.