Did you know that drinking certain red wines is actually good for you? According to the French Paradox theory, despite boasting some of the richest gastronomy in the world and drinking over 3 times the yearly amount of red wine compared to the average American, the French still live 2.5 years longer on average. Could this have something to do with the fact that red wine contains antioxidants that could reduce the risk of blood-clots, cancer and even dementia? Whether red wines actually lead to a healthier lifestyle or not, they're delicious and worth drinking. Our in-house wine experts explain what types of red wine are good for you below so read on and drink up.
Dry Red Wine
Despite the fact that all wines contain sugar from the grapes used to produce it, some carry a far smaller amount than others. The term ‘dry wine’ is often misunderstood due to the fact that the term is often used rationally, relating to the sensory characteristics of the wine. However, deciding on whether a wine is dry or sweet depends on how much residual sugar remains after fermentation. Yeast eats the sugar found in the grape juice to produce alcohol; any residual sugar will determine the dryness or sweetness of a wine. Studies have shown that drinking drier wines, which contain very little sugar, could even improve insulin sensitivity and help prevent diabetes. Not only are dry red wines better for you, but they are also considered more sophisticated and complex.
Dry Michel Schlumberger
Lower Alcohol Volumes
Did you know that you do not have to completely cut down on wine to reduce your alcohol intake? Unlike the rich, full-bodied wines, the lower-alcohol wines such as classic Beaujolais wines, are lighter and fruitier with softer tannins. Choosing a red wine with a lower alcohol volume does not mean that taste, quality or variety has to be sacrificed. Grapes grown in cooler climates and at higher altitudes tend to have lower alcohol volumes. What’s more, the number is easy to spot, given that all wine is obliged to state the alcohol volume on the label.
Beaujolais wine
Red Wine Containing Antioxidants
Grapes are rich in many antioxidants, such as resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, which are believed to be primarily responsible for the health benefits of red wine. These benefits are a result of tannins which come from the pips (and other wood-related material) of the grapes. As the pips and skins of these grapes stay together with the juice for some time, they give colour and structure to the juice. Tannins contain procyanidins and are known to protect against heart disease, given that they are good for your blood vessels. It is believed that people who drink approximately 150 ml of red wine a day have about 32% lower risk of heart disease than those who don't. However, this must not be taken too literally, as those who drink over the recommended amount immediately have a much higher risk.
Wines containing the most antioxidants are made through the traditional method of a long fermentation process, which usually lasts 3-4 weeks. This allows the full extraction of procyanidins from the skin and seed to take place. This is also why wines made from thick skinned grapes, for example Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon, have much higher levels of resveratrol than some other red wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Now that you know what types of red wines are good for you and what to look for, why not pay a visit to our weekly Wine auction? You'll discover hundreds of bottles up for auction, not only reds, but whites, rosés and champagnes as well. And did you know that with just one account you can not only buy, but also sell wine at our auctions? All you ned to do is register to sell and you can start offering up bottles of wine and champagne for auction straight away. You don't need to be a professional retailer, anyone is welcome! Cheers!
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