Is red wine beneficial for health or a potent poison? In the old times Plato said that “nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the Gods to man.” Nowadays research suggests that a glass of red wine each day may be providing you with more than just a little relaxation.

The French seem to know something about the health benefits of red wine considering that studies that compared French and German red wines, revealed that the French red wines delivered a greater health benefit due to their higher level of antioxidants. Experts believe that red wine contains certain compounds that help protect the heart. This has opened the door for other researchers to study the components in red wine that may be responsible for its health benefits.

In the last 10 years, thousands of research on red wine showed that moderate intake of this drink improves cardiovascular health. The cardio protective effect has been attributed to antioxidants present in the skin and seeds of red grapes.

Based on the research experts advise that the antioxidants, called flavonoids, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in three ways: by reducing production of low density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol), by boosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good cholesterol) and by reducing blood clotting.

Furthermore researchers have found that moderate red wine consumption may be beneficial to more than just your heart. One study found that the antioxidant resveratrol, which is prevalent in the skin of red grapes, may inhibit tumour development in some cancers. Another study indicated that resveratrol aided in the formation of nerve cells, which experts believe may be helpful in the treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The most recent studies on red wine presented at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting, in Orlando, Florida by the Canadians show that Red wine polyphenols may help fight gum disease. V. Houde, M. Boisvert and their colleagues from University Laval in Canada investigated the role of polyphenols, including those from red wine, in scavenging free radicals released by immune cells stimulated with components of bacteria causing periodontal diseases. Free radicals are believed to be at least partly responsible for the development of gum disease and are generated by immune cells during periodontitis. In order to have healthy gums it is important to that free radicals are maintained at low levels. Their results indicated that red wine polyphenols significantly modulate several inflammatory components released by macrophages (a population of host immune cells) in response to bacterial stimuli.

Visit Vintage Roots for organic wines.

• Made from Banyuls wine
• Aged 5 Years
• Notes of vanilla, walnuts, spice bread, liquorice
• adds character to all dishes
• Imported from France

Product Description
Banyuls wine vinegar comes from the southern most point of France, where the pyranees run into the Mediterranean. The winegrowers of this area where the soil is inferitle and arid work by hand the vines of the grenache grape. Under the hot sun the dry northerly wind of this region the grapes are picked at full maturity to make superb rich and powerful banyuls wines. The local cuisine holds an amazing wealth of tastes, every dish if ull of color and aromas. One of th… More >>

Banyuls 5 Year Aged French Red Wine Vinegar 750 Ml

• ISBN13: 9780979926082
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
This full color calendar includes photographs, descriptions, histories and lore about the 12 selected major wine producing grapes. Food pairing suggestions are also offered…. More >>

Vinifera 2010 Wall Calendar: The World’s Great Wine Grapes and their Stories

Product Description
nearly 500 pages exclusively devoted to the French wine region Chateauneuf-du-Pape * detailed information on over 200 winemakers * an in-depth look at climate, soil, grapes, winemaking, etc. * many full-color photographs * many tables, charts, maps and de… More >>

The Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine Book

Thanksgiving. Christmas. Hanukkah. Kwanzaa. New Years. Just reading the names of these holidays can stir up feelings of excitement, wonder and celebration. We get together with people we love and celebrate life. We eat and drink and talk about the year that was, the year that will be and our hopes for the future. And we give thanks for the many things we have been given.

Celebrations like these require special food and drink. We make huge dinners and surround ourselves with trays of sweets. We also make toasts with rich, full glasses of wine and sparkling, red studded cocktails.

This year, as more American’s have turned to green living practices, there are a growing number of products available to celebrate the holidays green too. Organic turkeys, locally grown produce, LED twinkle lights and other increasingly popular eco friendly product are now at our disposal. And now, so are sustainable wines and spirits.

Sustainable wines and spirits include libations that have been made using organically grown grapes, environmentally friendly business and/or farming practices, and recyclable packaging. For any green wine, liquor or beer, read the label to understand how the company is sustainable or do a little poking around online to find a label that you are comfortable with. Not all may follow the same guidelines as to what they constitute “sustainable”

Green Spirits

A number of distilleries are now developing green spirits. International distilleries like Reyka Vodka are creating their product using the renewable geothermal energy that exists under Iceland. Others like Square One Organic Vodka are using organically grown products as the base for their liquor. The company uses organic rye and spring water produced in the Midwest United States and gets 25 of its distillery’s energy from wind farms. For tequila fans, there is only one USDA certified organic tequila available. The 4Copas from Mexico is made using no pesticides or growth hormones and is packaged using recycled paper.

These cocktails are popping up more and more at local restaurants and bars and may be a perfect addition to a company holiday party. When possible, ask about local distillers in your area that may have an eco friendly vodka or tequila you can add to your cocktail list.

Sustainable Wines

Wine makers were early pioneers of organics in the United States. Many wineries are turning to sustainable farming and cultivating practices to make high quality red and white organic wines. Oregon organic wines like the Eco Wine from Amity Vineyard have no detectable sulfites. Others like the wines made in California’s Beckmen Vineyards or Gypsy Canyon Winery are biodynamic, meaning that they were farmed using an all natural system of farming, without chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. They also use the farms own resources to maintain and sustain the crop. The strength in these wines is that the makers have figured out sustainable practices they can follow that still produce incredible, unique wines. With a table full of fresh sweet potatoes, carrots and home made stuffing, a bold glass of an organic wine is an excellent way to toast to the many things we should be thankful for.

~Ben Anton, 2008 Author Resource:-> For more on sustainable living, visit http://www.GreenSceneUSA.com, your online guide to green living.
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