10 benefits a glass of wine can bring to your health. And much more!

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Wine is the best-known drink after water. It is a welcome choice during any season. And so wine is even better in cold weather. Get to know ten benefits a glass of wine a day can bring to your health and much more about this so-called “Nectar of the Gods”!

The origins of wine

One of the known versions about the origins of wine states that wine production began between 6,000 BC and 4,000 BC when grape residue was found in an ancient cellar in Armenia. It was in clay jars from Georgia and had signs of grape treatment from eastern Turkey (then called Phrygia). 

Some more wine history

Another version indicates that wine was first made in Western Asia when wine grapes followed cultures as they expanded into the Mediterranean. Maritime civilizations, including the Phoenicians and Greeks, helped to spread wine all over Europe.

Wine and its rituals and celebrations among ancient peoples:

  • Egyptians: Wine was popularly consumed mainly in rituals. Besides winemaking, these celebrations were recorded in paintings and documents.

  • Greeks: one of the pioneers in the West in the production of the wine itself, with vine plantations spread all over Europe.

  • Romans: responsible for the popularity of wine on the European continent. They became, literally famous for having "wined" Europe because of their wine production in Sicily, the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, and Andorra), Brittany (England), and Germania (Germany).

  • French: In the then Welsh region, wine became even more popular and was mainly consumed in taverns, being the favorite drink of the Gauls legionnaires and gladiators.

    10 benefits of a glass of wine a day

    1. Increases antioxidants - Antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and resveratrol are found in a glass of wine. These substances protect cells and tissues against external attacks and prevent obesity as well as the propensity to get colds and flu. 

    2. Increases "good" cholesterol - A delicious glass of wine can clear LDL (bad cholesterol), reducing the amount of fatty debris that can clog arteries. 

    3. Lowers the risk of heart disease - Epidemiological studies done by the AHA (American Heart Association) concluded that a daily glass of wine is excellent for reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease. 

    4. Reduces the risk of heart attack - According to a study developed for PubMed Central (PMC), called “Red Wine Consumption and Cardiovascular Health”, light-moderate drinking of red wine has been proposed as a possible explanation for the epidemiological phenomenon known as the “French Paradox”, which indicates that the French population shows relatively lower CHD incidence/mortality rate compared with other Western populations, despite their diets contain higher amounts of total fat and saturated fatty acids. 

    5. Reduces the risk of stroke - Research has concluded that a daily dose of 150 ml of wine is associated with a decrease in ischemic diseases. 

    6. Good for your gut - Studies published in the Journal Gastroenterology, have shown that daily wine increases the diversity of bacteria in the body, which strengthens the intestinal flora.

    7. Reduces stress and anxiety - The standard amount of 150 ml/day of wine blocks an enzyme linked to the production of substances that fuel these emotions.   

    8. Lowers the risk of diabetes and gallstones - Daily wine helps reduce the chance of acquiring diabetes, type 2, and the propensity to form gallstones.  

    9. Lowers the risk of neurological diseases - Research in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, revealed that drinking wine in moderate doses can increase mental capacity because the drink protects certain neurological functions against the natural aging process and the chance of acquiring diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

    10. Reduces the chances of getting cancer - Research carried out at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research has shown that by strengthening the immune system, the resveratrol in wine is considered, potentially, a chemopreventive and curative agent.

    Besides being known as an aphrodisiac, wine is considered a powerful "lie detector"!

    With this reputation as an instrument of  "revealing secrets" wine is given a classic Latin phrase: "In vino veritas", i.e., "in wine, the truth". In other words, wine may "release" hidden truths from its drinker.

    Nonetheless, the enologist, the sommelier, and the oenophile cannot tell a lie. So get to know the difference between these three "experts".

    Check it out here the Greenco Cellar Collection!

    Enologist

    October 22nd is the Enologist's Day

    Nicolas Labenne, a member of the Bordeaux Oenologists' Association, stated that: "At harvest time, the winemaker's job is, daily, to taste the contents of each barrel of wine. That is to say, in the blending phase, after the fermentation period, there are between 40 and 60 tastings a day. In addition, there are periodic technical sessions in which competitors' labels are tasted blind."

    5 main tasks of the enologist:

    1. Makes the soil analysis for the planting of the grapevines.

    2. Verifies the irrigation methods according to the type of grape, in addition to choosing the seedlings and the most appropriate planting technique.

    3. Supervises the pruning as well as the ideal time to harvest.

    4. Verifies the quality of the blend, which turns out to be the process of mixing the base wines, and the production of the labels.

    5. Supervises the bottling of the drink regarding its commercialization and distribution.

    Sommelier

    They are experts who work in restaurants, bars, and stores in the segment. The elaboration of the wine list is their responsibility as well as supervision in buying/receiving brands according to local demand. 

    Oenophile

    They are the classic "taster of the nectar of the gods". Hence they ought to have a deep knowledge of wine, thanks to courses, specialized books, and frequent trips to visit wineries abroad and in the country as well.

    14 types of grapes their origins and characteristics:

    1. Cabernet Sauvignon

    Origin: Bordeaux, France. 

    Characteristic: with ingredients such as tannin and herbaceous aromas, it has nuances of green bell pepper, fresh black cherries, cassis, and raspberry.

    1. Cabernet Franc

    Origin: Bordeaux, France.

    Characteristics: more delicate berries that produce wines with a soft texture. Aromatic nuances vary from raspberry and currant, with vegetable overtones in the background.

    1. Merlot

    Origin: Bordeaux, France

    Characteristics: grapes with a bluish velvet appearance, resulting in wines with medium tannins. The aromas are of red and Mediterranean fruits, besides fig.

    1. Malbec

    Origin: France, developed in Argentina and Brazil

    Characteristics: Velvet texture and intense flavor, with aromas of plums, figs, and cherries.

    1. Pinot Noir

    Origin: Burgundy, France

    Characteristics: difficult grape to cultivate because it depends on climate and temperature for the result to be satisfactory. The wines have delicate tannins and the aromas are of red fruits with an elegant earthy line.

    1. Chardonnay

    Origin: France

    Characteristics: because it is a versatile grape, it produces wines of different structures. In regions with milder climates, they are lighter than in warm climates, where the alcohol content is higher. Buttery aroma.

    1. Gewurztraminer

    Origin: Tirol, Italy

    Characteristics: the name in German means "spicy grape" that produces spicy white wines, aromatic and with a strong flavor, with hints of cinnamon, ginger, apricot, and pineapple.

    1. Sémillon

    Origin: Bordeaux, France

    Characteristics: This grape is among the most grown white grapes in the region and produces wines with aromas of peach, honey, apricot, quince, caramel, and pineapple. It is also grown in Argentina, Chile, and Australia.

    1. Sauvignon Blanc

    Origin: France

    Characteristics: This is a white grape very famous in the world because it produces aromatic wines, fresh and with excellent acidity. It is also responsible for intense dry wines with tropical, citric,c, and herbaceous aromas.

    1. Syrah

    Origin: Egypt, France, and Italy

    Characteristics: These grapes are very old and, therefore, their origin is surrounded by mysteries and legends. It produces wines of varied styles and high quality. The notes are of blueberry, plum,s, and blackberries, in addition to spices and pepper.

    1. Tempranillo

    Origin: Spain

    Characteristics: A grape widely used in the elaboration of red wines. Its main characteristic is its enveloping texture, soft, with round tannins.

    1. Carménère

    Origin: France, developed in Chile, USA, and China

    Characteristic: Chile used to cultivate this grape assuming it was Merlot. However, a French enologist discovered the grape was a type that produced wines that have strong tannins, with notes of red fruits and herbaceous flavors.

    1. Chenin Blanc

    Origin: France, developed in South Africa 

    Characteristics: a grape that originates several types of wines, from dry and acid to sweet. Its most remarkable aromas are apple, pear, quince, walnut, honey, and barley.

    1. Riesling

    Origin: Germany

    Characteristics: grape known for producing sparkling wines and renowned wines, from dry to sweet. Its acidity, combined with concentration and residual sugar makes its wines extremely long-lived. Different aromas because they are minerals, often called petrolatum. 

    Time to make your good taste choices! Check it out here the Greenco Cellar Collection! Some tasty Tees! TGIF! Cheers!

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