
Apparently, Yesterday Was “International Cabernet Day“!
I can’t keep up with all of these “days” – whether national or international, but since I celebrate a good Cabernet every day, nothing was lost!
There are so many “international” days – but this one is always fun, because “wine is life.”
In fact, I did a bit of plumbing at home and voila!
All joking aside, wine is healthy, so let’s look at all the ways to celebrate that fact!
“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.”
We all know that a glass of red wine every day tastes great, but science has shown that it’s a great way to maintain a healthy heart. Did you know the other benefits of a glass of wine? How about boosting your memory and immune system. Not only that, but wine in moderation might also help with weight loss. I mean, this stuff is gold!
Toast To Good Health And Eternal Life!
We all know how good wine taste, but thanks to Food and Wine magazine, here are the eight great reasons you need to be drinking an f’in Merlot right now – let’s cut down these great health benefits!
Benefit #1: Promotes Longevity
The Evidence: Wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers. Source: a Finnish study of 2,468 men over a 29-year period, published in the Journals of Gerontology, 2007.
Benefit #2: Reduces Heart-Attack Risk
The Evidence: Moderate drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack than nondrinkers. Source: a 16-year Harvard School of Public Health study of 11,711 men, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, 2007.
Benefit #3: Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
The Evidence: Red-wine tannins contain procyanidins, which protect against heart disease. Wines from Sardinia and southwest France have more procyanidins than other wines. Source: a study at Queen Mary University in London, published in Nature, 2006.
Benefit #4: Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
The Evidence: Moderate drinkers have 30 percent less risk than nondrinkers of developing type 2 diabetes. Source: research on 369,862 individuals studied over an average of 12 years each, at Amsterdam’s VU University Medical Center, published in Diabetes Care, 2005.
Benefit #5: Lowers Risk of Stroke
The Evidence: The possibility of suffering a blood clot–related stroke drops by about 50 percent in people who consume moderate amounts of alcohol. Source: a Columbia University study of 3,176 individuals over an eight-year period, published in Stroke, 2006.
Benefit #6: Cuts Risk of Cataracts
The Evidence: Moderate drinkers are 32 percent less likely to get cataracts than nondrinkers; those who consume wine are 43 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those drinking mainly beer. Source: a study of 1,379 individuals in Iceland, published in Nature, 2003.
Benefit #7: Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer
The Evidence: Moderate consumption of wine (especially red) cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent. Source: a Stony Brook University study of 2,291 individuals over a four-year period, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2005.
You see – whether you drink Cabernet Sauvignon, or any other grape varietal like Merlot, Pino, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, the health benefits are there!
Benefit #8: Slows Brain Decline
The Evidence: Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in nondrinkers than in moderate drinkers. Source: a Columbia University study of 1,416 people, published in Neuroepidemiology, 2006.
I mean, these are just the tip of the “wine is healthy” iceberg! My wife and I got the chance to explore the Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine region of France:
We had incredible wines all over the region – here is a look at that tasty trip:
Finally, I leave you with Daryl Hall and John Oates and their raucous musical tribute to wine:
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Intravino!
Wine is so good for you that Hall & Oates once wrote a song about it!
“Gimme wine, wine, I need IntraVino
Wine, wine, I need it every day-o
Wine, wine, Mis en bouteilles au Chateau
All the time, I need wine all the time.
Six o’clock gotta have Beaujolais
Eight o’clock I open up Pouilly-Fuiss?
Love the ruby color. Grand cru classe
Never love another once I’ve savored that bouquet
Oh yeah need IntraVino!”
Here they are performing it live:
As I said, wine is healthy – all wine from any part of the world.
And it was “National White Wine Day” apparently just last month….
I follow Amy Schumer’s rule: “just one glass.”
Click here to see why white wine deserves a day as well:
Now, there is so much to love about wine, especially when you can go into a cave and see how the classics are stored:
Yes, these caves in France store old bottles in mold!
Click here for our magical tour:
Many people think that wine is stuffy and old, but wine has a sense of humor as well:
The legendary comedy group Monty Python had some hilarious wine reviews and you can see them all here:
Finally, Alex and I got to explore a unique winery on the Greek Island of Santorini:
Yes, they have no rain but they grow grapes – in a very unique way!
Click here to see how:
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Categories: Exotic Travel, Food, Italy, Memoirs, nature, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, wine




















Thanks for sharing! As a serious wine lover, thank you for this post! “Wine is sunlight held together by water” I love it!
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Thank you! While everything is OK in moderation, wine at least offers health benefits if consumed rationally! Love hearing from you!
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Cheers! 🍷😻
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Yes indeed – cheers!
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Great health benefits, John. Sadly, I can only drink white wine. I remember those bottles in the mould.
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Robbie, white is very good for you as well…red slightly more because more resins due to time on the skin!
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I am smiling as I’m drinking my glass of Chardonnay!
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who knew? and it’s all in the name of health!
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It really does have health benefits which I go into at length…key to everything in life is moderation! Cheers and thanks for commenting!
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My love of red wine has been the story accompanying my adult life, John. My three favourites are Shiraz, Merlot, and Pinotage. Unfortunately ‘moderate’ was never on my agenda, so I am currently not drinking any alcohol to give my ageing body a rest. However, it is my holiday next week, so no doubt a few glasses will be imbibed then. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes Pete, last night I got somewhat “moderated” and try to keep an eye on the pours! Cheers to you and have a great weekend!
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