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The Health Benefits of Wine

Dear Editor,

In keeping with this month’s theme of Thai Cuisine, it seems appropriate to discuss the health benefits of wine. What’s a good meal and time out without a good glass of wine. Lately, I have been opting especially when out for dinner for wine instead of beer in an attempt to cut down on my calorie intake. The challenge is, a good bottle of wine always goes down easy and with good company and conversation, one bottle can easily turn into two or three.

When word got out about the health benefits of wine, most wine drinkers stopped swirling for a long minute and took notice.

It was the mid 90s when story of the "French Paradox" poured from all media sources, and wine drinkers across the world swirled and sipped and rejoiced. In case you missed it, baffled researchers launched a study of French folk, trying to determine why people with diets so high in cheese fats were not suffering from more heart attacks.

The findings? It's their moderate and steady intake of wine. Long after the discovery that the French were absurdly beating health odds, tons of research in support of wine drinking for good health continued to surface.

First, there were scores of positive studies related solely to the healing powers of resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grape skins and therefore in red wine. However, now they're finding just as many benefits from white wines. As a matter of fact, winemakers worldwide are even altering their production processes in order to boost the health benefits in white wine. All kinds of new findings still frequently bombard the media today.

Check out some of the most recent studies that boast the health benefits of wine:

Overall Health Benefits:
• Anti-aging effects in red grape skins.

Lung Health Benefits:
• Improved lung function from antioxidants in white wine.

Heart Health Benefits:
• oronary heart disease reduced.
• Healthier blood vessels in elderly.

Ulcer Prevention:
• Ulcer-causing bacteria reduced.

Stroke Prevention:
• Arteries kept clean by polyphenols in red grape skins.

Women’s Health Benefits:
• Decreased ovarian cancer risk.
• Stronger bones.
• Lower risk of stroke.

Men’s Health Benefits
• Lower risk of heart attack for men with high blood pressure.

So “What’s the catch?” you ask. Well, the catch is simple moderation. Most of these studies promote drinking in moderation in order to achieve the blissful health benefits of wine drinking.

And what’s moderation? Well, moderation is defined as a glass or two each day, and no, you can’t save them up all week and drink all of them on the weekend.

In fact, too much wine per day or per week can lead to negative health effects in many cases and rather than prevent disease, you’ll actually up your odds of acquiring such diseases.

Isn’t it great when you discover that something you enjoy could actually lead to better health? I guess this must be how vegetable lovers feel about eating.

In any case, now you can sip your favorite glass of wine with ease and even fervor tonight. After all, the health benefits of wine speak for themselves.

Some Suggested Wine and Food Pairings

Again, the art of wine and food pairing is a very personal thing. Experimentation is the best way to figure out what works for you.

Ordering Wine in a Restaurant

Wine Ordering Basics — Just a Sniff, a Sip, and a Swallow

Perhaps you’re comfortable ordering your “grande, nonfat, extra hot, wet cappuccino” every morning or having it your way every afternoon with your “hold the onions, hold the bun, pickles on the side, extra cheese cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce.” However, that doesn’t mean you’re exactly thrilled when it comes to ordering wine in a Pattaya restaurant. With just a little “how to” knowledge, you can start ordering wine with your head held high.

What Are You Eating?

• Choose a wine that compliments your meal whether you’re having a steak or Caesar salad.
  • Whites with lighter foods like grilled chicken or salads. Big reds with steaks or heavy red sauces. Lighter, fruitier reds with anything else.
• Connect your menu choice with a wine from the same region, i.e., Rioja with tapas, Chianti with red-sauced Italian dishes, and so on.

The Serving Ritual

After you have made your decision, the server will serve the wine in a ritual that may seem odd to novice wine drinkers. Here is the process and what you need to do.

1. The server should first show you the bottle BEFORE it’s opened. Inspect the label and vintage to make sure it is in fact what you ordered. Sometimes the restaurant will be out of the specified vintage and will bring you a different one. Now is the time for you to decide whether this is acceptable.

2. After opening, the server will present you the cork. Simply make sure it is not dried out and cracked. Note: Sometimes white wines will form white crystals on the cork. This is normal and is not a sign of a fault.

3. Then the server will pour a small amount in your glass. Check the aroma to make sure there are no strong, offensive odors that you know shouldn't be there (such as vinegar and rotten eggs). If unsure, smell again or ask your server.

4. Now taste the wine. If trying a new type of wine that you are not familiar with, I would be extra cautious and ask the waiter his opinion before sending the wine back. It is not my policy to send back a wine that I just don't like unless the server notices my reaction and offers a replacement.

5. Once you have tasted the wine and feel it is not faulty, a simple nod or a “it’s fine” will inform the server to start filling the glasses. The server will now decant the wine if necessary and then fill the guest’s glasses first and finish with your glass.

Maintaining Your Glass

• In most fine dining establishments, the server will refill your glasses as needed.
• If your glass runs empty, feel free to pour more yourself.
• Pour only to the lower one-third the glass. This lets air in and leaves you room to swirl — both of which enhance the enjoyment of your wines.

In Conclusion:

Ordering wine doesn’t have to be an ordeal, nor does it have to be scary or intimidating. Just remember these basics. Once you’ve gone through the motions of choosing and accepting the bottle with a sniff and a sip, you’ll be a real wine ordering pro. Take the suggestions for what they are worth, but don’t be afraid to bend the rules to your liking. If it tastes good to you, that’s all that matters. Although, if you’re planning a dinner party, it’s usually best to play it safe and stick with combinations that have proven to be favorable among a wide group of people.