Another January and another resolution to be healthier. Many of my pals have embarked on a stepped up exercise routine. Me, too, but I'm also including the elbow exercise---the one that calls for the slight lift of the wine glass to the lips:)
Good thing scientific evidence reveals that drinking red wine offers some hard evidence to support this brand of admittedly low stress exertion. Studies have identified a substance in red wine which provides health benefits.
Resveratrol is linked to prevention of heart disease and diabetes,helps to improve memory,foster weight loss, boost energy, and maybe reduce wrinkles. Reason enough to sip red wine. It's gotten a lot of attention lately. 60 Minutes did a story about it not long ago.
A new year is good time to go beyond Merlot. (BTW, I'm not dissing Merlot-I was recently gifted with a fabulous bottle of Duckhorn Vineyards 2007 Napa Valley Merlot. It is smooth and has a plummy spicy bouquet (also pricey--did I mention it was a gift?)
But, I figure if you are going to take advantage of red wine's health benefits, you might as well sample a variety of reds. I had a great time last week putting together an all red six pack for my friend Marcy. Right away push back --she told me right off "I'm not a fan of Chianti." I persuaded her to try it, after all this was not the straw wrapped Chianti bottle of her salad days, but Chianti Classico. Later, she sent me a text "The Chianti is gooooddd!" She didn't love everything I suggested, but that's okay. Wine is, in many ways, a personal taste--what may stimulate my palette may be a big blah for yours. However, what is true is that the more you taste, the more you broaden your palette.
Ongoing scientific studies continue to confirm the health benefits of red wine, even as there is no consensus about how much red wine you need to drink to gain the benefit. Doctors do agree with the old adage-- too much of a good thing is not good, and certainly not healthy. Best recommendation---no more than two 5 oz glasses a day. Just one of those gigantic wine bar goblets filled to the brim and you are way over the limit.
The health promise of Resveratrol is such that you can now buy it in pill form.
Let's see, a pill versus a great Cabernet to go with my steak. No contest.
Red wine sipping for health--that's one resolution I can keep.
Marcy's All Red Six Pack:
2006 Cambria"Julia's Vineyard" Non Estate Bottled Santa Maria Pinot Noir
2006 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Reserva
2005 Bad Boy Bordeaux
2006 Birot Rouge, Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux
2006 Kathryn Kennedy "Lateral" Bordeaux Blend
2008 Knonkop "Kadette" Cape Blend Stellenbosch
