National Drink Wine Day

I personally do not need a special day in order to enjoy wine.  BUT…When there is a legit one, such as National Drink Wine Day – how could I not partake?  February 18th happens to be National Drink Wine Day.

What are the benefits of wine?

Per Medical News Today:

1. Gut microbiome and cardiovascular health – Resveratrol may improve heart health in various ways. In 2016, researchers suggested that it could reduce the risk of heart disease through the way it affects the gut microbiome.
2. Raising levels of omega-3 fatty acids – A little alcoholic drink, and especially red wine, appears to boost levels of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells. Omega-3 fatty acids, believed to protect against heart disease, are usually derived from eating fish.
3. Heart health and type-2 diabetes – One study has shown that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner “modestly decreases cardiometabolic risk” in people with type-2 diabetes and that a moderate intake of red wine is safe. The scientists believe that the ethanol in wine plays a key role in metabolizing glucose and that the nonalcoholic ingredients may also contribute. They call for more research to confirm the findings.
4. Healthy blood vessels and blood pressure – In 2006, scientists from the United Kingdom (U.K.) found that procyanidins, compounds commonly found in red wine, help keep the blood vessels healthy. Traditional production methods appear to be most effective in extracting the compounds, leading to higher levels of procyanidins in the wine. Many people find an alcoholic drink relaxes them, but results published in 2012 indicate that nonalcoholic red wine, too, can reduce blood pressure. This could be a more healthful option.
5. Brain damage after stroke – Resveratrol may protect the brain from stroke damage, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Results from tests on mice showed that resveratrol increased levels of heme oxygenase, an enzyme known to protect nerve cells in the brain from damage. When a stroke occurs, the brain is ready to protect itself because of higher enzyme levels.
6. Preventing vision loss – Resveratrol in red wine may help prevent vision loss caused by out-of-control blood vessel growth in the eye, according to findings published in 2010. Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are leading causes of blindness among Americans aged 50 years and above. This is due to an overgrowth of blood vessels in the eye, known as angiogenesis.
7. Preventing colon cancer – Scientists in the U.K. reported in 2015 that consuming low doses of resveratrol can reduce the size of bowel tumors by approximately 50 percent. Higher doses reduced tumor size by 25 percent. However, other experts point out that alcohol is strongly linked to different types of cancer, and that any benefit from resveratrol is likely to be outweighed by the negative effects of the alcohol.
8. Preventing breast cancer – Regular consumption of most alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer. However, thanks to chemicals in the seeds and skins of red grapes, women who drink red wine in moderation may be spared this risk. Normally, alcohol increases a woman’s estrogen levels, and this encourages the growth of cancer cells. However, the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) that are present in red wine, and to a lesser extent white wine, reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone in women approaching menopause.
9. Improving lung function and preventing lung cancer – Low doses of red wine, and to a lesser extent white wine, may boost lung function and prevent lung cancer cells from proliferating, according to at least one investigation.
10. Protection from prostate cancer – A study published in 2007 reported that, in men who drink moderate amounts of red wine, the chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is around half that of men who never drink red wine. Those who drank one glass a week were 6 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who never drank it.
11. Preventing dementia – A team from Loyola University Medical Center found that moderate red wine intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia. A long-term study of data from 19 nations found a statistically significant lower risk of dementia among regular, moderate red wine drinkers in 14 countries.
12. Reducing the risk of depression – A team of researchers from Spain reported in 2013 that drinking wine may reduce the risk of depression. A study of data for around 5,500 men and women aged from 55 to 80 years over a 7-year period showed that those who drank between two and seven glasses of wine each week were less likely to receive a diagnosis of depression, even after taking lifestyle factors into consideration.
13. Protecting from severe sunburn – Wine and grapes contain flavonoids. These inhibit the formation of the ROS in skin cells that are exposed to sunlight. Rather than drinking more wine, however, the researchers suggest incorporating grapes and grape derivatives into sun protection products.
14. Preventing liver disease – Modest wine consumption may cut the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by half in those who are at risk of the condition, compared with never drinking wine.
15. Preventing dental cavities- Red wine may help prevent dental cavities by getting rid of bacteria on the teeth, according to research published in 2014, in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (ACS).
16. Treating acne- Research has indicated that resveratrol, with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, could help treat acne. The scientists suggest combining it with benzoyl peroxide and applying it directly to the skin, to maximize antibacterial activity.

Here are some of my recommendations for wine to try on this festive occasion.

WHITE FAVES

• Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc – I usually find this at Costco for around $12.  Very refreshing.
• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc – this is a go-to glass more so when I am eating out and it is on the wine list.
• Stag’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc – My husband and I love everything Stag’s Leap…there are a few wines with the same name as they come from the same region but be aware of where the apostrophe is in the name. I wrote about our visit to this vineyard during our anniversary vacation!
• Stag’s Leap Chardonnay
• Pine Ridge Chardonnay
• Clos du Bois Chardonnay – we stumbled upon this vineyard at 10 am while waiting for Copolla to open.  I’m glad we were early!
• Sancerre White Bordeaux
• Tesorro della Regina Pinot Grigio
• Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio – if you are new to Pinot Grigios, I think the Santa Margarita is a great glass to try.  It is a bit pricier than some others but worth it.

REDS:

• Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck – you cannot forget Two Buck Chuck (red or white).  The wine is good…not my absolute favorite but also great for cooking!
• Meomi Pinot Noir – My absolute favorite year was 2011.  We stocked up once we found out that the supply was getting low and enjoyed every last bottle. The 2012 is delicious too.
• Acacia Pinor Noir
• Hitching Post Pinot Noir – I first tried this bottle at a local restaurant and now order their blend and pinot noir regularly.
• Alouette Pinot Noir – YUM!
• Markham Merlot
• Angeline Merlot
• Stag’s Leap Merlot
• Invitro Chianti
• Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon
• Prince of Hearts Cabernet Sauvignon
• Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon

What are your favorite wines?  Do you have any questions about wines to buy?  I love to help out!