There’s no denying that there’s an increasing trend for a healthier approach to diet.
Research has shown that particularly for those under 40, health is one of the key decision-making factors when it comes to choosing a restaurant and the kind of food to eat once they’re there.
Red wine is often in the media for its health benefits, so we look at why that is and which wines come top of the class.
The French Paradox
Since the early 1990s, a meaningful number of reports have been written to support the concept that wine, especially reds, encompass a series of phenolic compounds (the compounds that affect the taste, colour and mouthfeel of wine) that could bring health benefits if consumed in moderation.
Known as the ‘French Paradox’, this refers to the observation that the French have low rates of heart disease, despite consuming a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol. As a key component of the Mediterranean diet, red wine is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and other disorders related with oxidative stress.
Resveratrol
One of the key components believed to be responsible for these benefits is resveratrol. The resveratrol in red wine comes from the skins of grapes used to make wine. Because red wine is fermented with grape skins longer than white wine to extract colour, flavour and tannin, red wine contains higher levels of resveratrol. Studies have shown that the grape varieties Pinot Noir and Barbera usually contain the highest levels. So when considering the healthy options on your food menu, don’t forget the wine pairings.
Our top three suggestions for healthier drinking:
Niagara, Canada
At only 12% alcohol and made from Pinot Noir – thus containing higher levels of resveratrol – this wine from the exciting Canadian maverick winemaker Norman Hardie ticks all the boxes.
Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne 2015
Piedmont, Italy
The history of Vietti can be traced back to the 19th century and this Barbera delivers all the crunchy cherry fruit you expect from this classic Northern Italian region.
Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2014
Beaujolais, France
Bursting with cherry, liquorice and violet, this is an extremely fresh and exciting wine. Made from Gamay Noir, it’s delicious served slightly chilled with grilled vegetables or a charcuterie platter.