Do you drink wine?

[Mistie]

Hi girls! Do you drink wine? If so, what kind (i.e. Merlot, Chardonnay)? How often? My mom is a doc and she gave me this article about drinking a glass (one only) of red wine a day would increase HDLs (the good cholesterol) and help keep disease at bay. So.....I really don't like alcohol. But, I would like to see how well this works. Do you drink with meals, or relaxing after dinner? Any advice on tasty wines would be much appreciated. Does alcohol affect performance? Thanks!

[tulip]

I drink wine from time to time, but not as medication. I enjoy it, and if it gives me other benefits, great.

If you are interested in learning about wines, you might find out if any wine shops in your area have wine tasting classes. It's a great way to learn about wines, and about which ones you like.

[ASammy1]

I enjoy a glass of red wine occasionally. From what I've heard, red wine is better for you than white wine. It is a heart booster. I prefer a Pinot Noir or a Bordeaux if I am going to drink red. I have to be really careful though as many red wines give me heartburn. As for whites, I always look for a buttery, oaky chardonnay. My favorite is by Martin Rey/Ray.

Hope this helps!

[alpinerabbit]

YES!

love the stuff.

Any varietal, any region of the world - as long as it expresses the character of the grape, and price : performance ratio is good.

You could try & start out with a fun "wine course": Jancis Robinson's Wine Tasting Workbook. Lots of fun, you learn about varietals, about tasting etc.
We go to tastings and then often buy by the case. That's a good way to know what you're buying.

I have to say, once we open a bottle, we rarely have leftovers.

This does affect cycling performance, especially on day +1, and especially if the wine is "headache-prone". I definitely notice it if I haven't had wine for a whole week(-end). But that is rare because we like it, and we can wind down so well with a glass of wine.

[Biciclista]

pomegranite, grape, or cherry juice will do the same thing.
The reason wine works so well is alcohol is addictive, and people are less apt to miss their daily dose because they know they will get a reward (buzz)

so if you don't drink or don't want to drink there are plenty of alternatives.

[Smilie]

I like the sweeter wines, like Reislings or Gewertztraminers. Then you can have the very sweet dessert wines which are fabulous! My favorite wine is a Blackberry Merlot from Door County. It is the best wine! I highly recommend it. It isn't dry like some merlots, and is a bit sweet. It is very good.

[Blueberry]

I do - when I feel like it:)

Like Smilie, I really like the sweeter wines (usually white). But I have found a few reds I like (have made an effort to find some because of the health benefits). Shiraz, merlot and volpolicella are a few I've favored recently:)

CA

[bmccasland]

No particular favorites, although I tend to prefer dry over sweet. Of the reds, I usually pick Merlot. I've found of the "heartier" reds, that the cheap stuff will give me a headache. But a nice well aged Zin is a good thing :D

Being single, I tend to wait until I have company to open bottles. But I do have the vacuum "corks" which does help the wine last longer.

[RoadRaven]

NOPE...

And with good reason...

When I was 13 my best friend and I wagged school, bought a bottle of sherry and proceeded to down it. Well, I proceeded to down most of it, she just had a few mouthfuls.
I was sick for 3 days and never touched any alcohol til I was 17.

I cannot drink sherry or anything smelling remotely like it - like wine - as just the whiff of it, some 30 years later, still makes me want to retch!

[wolfak]

pomegranite, grape, or cherry juice will do the same thing.
The reason wine works so well is alcohol is addictive, and people are less apt to miss their daily dose because they know they will get a reward (buzz)

so if you don't drink or don't want to drink there are plenty of alternatives.

Just to clarify. The active compound, resveratrol, is present in the fruits and juices (& wines) of grapes, cherries, pomegranates, and it is most concentrated in the wine and juices, and the fresh fruits have the lowest concentration of this phytonutrient.

So if you want a more potent dose of resveratrol, wine, in moderation, or a juice is a way to go. My reservation at juice as a phytonutrient source is that you may be getting a large dose of sugar in addition to the heart healthy flavanoids. However, if you'd like some fiber, then the fresh stuff is a great alternative, or first choice, depending on your preference.

As for me, I occasionally like a deep dark red shiraz or something similar. To me, the dryer, the better!

[Jallora]

I love a good Shiraz. I used to get just about a glass a day, but lately I don't seem to have as much time to just sit and relax while I drink a glass of wine in the evening. As others have mentioned, the best way to try different wines and see what you like is a tasting. You can see if a local wine shop or winery in your area does that. Also so if they do wine flights. Also, if you ever go on a cruise, they do a lot of wine tastings. My DH and I love to cruise on the bigger Royal Caribbean ships. They have an actual wine bar there that does several different tastings throughout the cruise, and they have wine flights available every day.

[mayanorange]

I like unoaked chards- Yellowtail is nice for the price or LaCrema is great. Or rieslings- personal fav is Firestone- it's more dry than your standard riesling. I adore reds, but have developed an allergy so get migraines after more than an ounce. Ravenswood vinter's blend Zinfandel- yum! Port is also an nice way to get your wine as a nightcap (and it doesn't bother me quite as much- I can maybe have 2 ounces!).

[letsride89]

...im not old enough :)

[ny biker]

I don't like wine and rarely drink any alcohol anymore. My HDL is quite high. Exercise and fiber-rich foods (the kind in oatmeal and beans) also help your cholesterol. Sometimes your genetic makeup is against you and all the exercise, healthy diet and wine in the world will not help.

I would say if you don't like to drink, then don't start drinking wine just for the health effects.

Also bear in mind that alcohol makes you dehydrated. If you're only having one glass then just downing a glass or two of water should head off any problems, but if you drink a lot of any alcohol it will mess with your hydration levels.

[OakLeaf]

I love wine, have been working for the last couple of years on improving my palate, so it was a big shock to learn I'm at high risk for breast cancer... meaning I really needed to curtail my alcohol intake. I'm not cutting it out entirely - maybe I should, but the way I feel, there's no point totally giving up something I really enjoy in order to prolong a life without it. But I'm limiting myself to an average of one drink per night, which means that DH and I can only enjoy a bottle with dinner once or twice a week. :(

Alcohol DEFINITELY affects my performance though - even one glass. I don't usually notice it unless I've been alcohol-free for at least a week. Then it really becomes obvious the day after I've had a drink. HR goes up, reflexes go down, breathing suffers. I don't think it's (only) dehydration since a single drink is enough to affect me. If I were doing anything competitive I wouldn't drink at all. Even when I ran the 5K just for fun this winter, I didn't have a drink for a week beforehand.

Most of the articles I've read indicate that while there is a small benefit to drinking ONE drink daily (on average), it is definitely not large enough that a non-drinker should consider taking it up.

[berkeley]

My favorites are shiraz/syrah - particularly from california or australia. I won't pass up a good chianti or certain cabs either. Definitely red over white.

Hmmm. OK, now I'm in the mood for a glass! :p

[ibcycling]

Wine is what got me started on riding! :eek::D Seriously! I was walking with a couple neighbors and they were discussing a bike ride that toured the wineries. I thought "Hey! That sounds like fun!" Now I'm riding 100-150 miles per week and yes I have ridden from winery to winery sampling. LOL!

I'm in wine country in Washington but I'm a transplant from Nebraska so I'm learning lots about wine. I love the reds and have a local Sangiovese that really like by Kiona winery. It's a beautiful ride to go past the wineries though I enjoy riding just for riding now.

Unfortunately right now I'm working my way through a bottle of Merlot because I had a seriously crappy day. I don't normally drink more than 1 glass but today's an exception.

[arielmoon]

I don't drink alcohol anymore but when I did I was uber picky about what I did. Most wine have sulfites added as preservatives and there are lots of pesticides used on grapes. Yuck! Also many wineries use animal parts as part of the screening process. ACK! So for a while I searched for organic, vegan, sulfite free wine but it was a challenge. That is no longer an issue cause these days I get my high on life!

[limewave]

I have one glass of wine when we go out for dinner, which is about once a month, sometimes twice (if we're lucky). I used to only like sweet white wines. But, after having a specialty wine dinner, I've learned to really like some of the reds as well. Now I order a red wine when we go out.

[Peanut03]

I have tried a few wines over the years and have decided that pinot noir is the best for me. It doesn't have a dry aftertaste. I had gone on a "wine spree" and was drinking one glass a day for a few months..Unfortunately I had to stop. What I noticed was, if I had a glass before dinner I tended to eat more at dinner. It compounds my acid reflux issue...I shouldn't be drinking alcohol and I shouldn't be overeating..so my wine days have changed drastically. I drink it every so often when I'm out to dinner.

[3for3]

I used to live in CA wine country and was a member of a wine club that I LOVED. Now that I live in UTAH it is a very precious commodity. We literally have to "ration" our wine. My husband and I already have a list of wines to stock up on when we are back in CA for Thanksgiving! I would say the most important thing about wine is to drink what you enjoy. It is unfortunate that wine has become a somewhat snobby hobby since it is such a wonderfully warm and welcoming drink. Don't worry about what other people say or feel that you have to drink certain wines to appear sophisticated. I've enjoyed expensive wines and I've also enjoyed 2 buck chuck (Charles Shaw). Price does not always indicate the level of quality. So sample a variety and you'll find your favorites! Have some friends over for a wine tasting party and you can try more at once that way. Have fun with it!

[alpinerabbit]

Most wine have sulfites added as preservatives and there are lots of pesticides used on grapes. Yuck! Also many wineries use animal parts as part of the screening process.

That is, gelatin, chitosan, casein, egg white and isinglass (basically fish collagen) - for which I understand you as a vegan.
re:organic wines:
I talked to a vintner who makes both organic and regular wine. Yes, there are no pesticides on organic wine.
copper is still allowed for spraying and guess what - the spray comes off in rain so he said he will spray a regular vineyard like 8x a year, an organic 15 x.
I think I won't place so much emphasis on organic anymore.

[OakLeaf]

I think I won't place so much emphasis on organic anymore.

You can't go wrong with biodynamic wine (or other produce). That's the real deal.

I agree that when agribusiness got their grubby little hands on the USDA organic standards, the standards became seriously diluted. Not quite meaningless - there were some victories, like no GMOs or irradiation - but definitely diluted.

[shootingstar]

I seem to drink wine once a month or less. We only drink wine for special occasion or when having visitors.

It really is not a problem of me ever overdrinking...since I start turning red even under half a glass of wine. :o
My whole family is similar to me...Mother Nature determined that we not take in much wine at all. I could never nurse a glass of wine by itself, I need to eat something else on the side.

For whites --sweeter side..Reislings, Gerwartztimners, Ehrenfelsner
Red- Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfadels... I dislike reds with much tannins / or flinty/steely tastes. So no shirazs nor syrahs, etc.

[Crankin]

I really *prefer* dry whites, pinot gris, etc, but I do try to drink red more because of the health values. I really love dry rose. Not white zin, real rose. From Spain or italy, preferably.
I have 1-2 glasses a week, sometimes more. But, it does affect my riding. Dry mouth, feeling dehydrated. I try to not have during the week, but once in awhile, I do.

[emily_in_nc]

I really *prefer* dry whites, pinot gris, etc, but I do try to drink red more because of the health values. I really love dry rose. Not white zin, real rose. From Spain or italy, preferably.
I have 1-2 glasses a week, sometimes more. But, it does affect my riding. Dry mouth, feeling dehydrated. I try to not have during the week, but once in awhile, I do.

We have the same favorite wines. I find that a single glass with dinner doesn't affect me one bit the next day. Thank heavens! :D

[Zen]

I eat a lot of grapes. A lot.

I went out to dinner last night and had a draft beer.
Something-Goose Pale Ale. Wild goose? Snow goose?
I don't know but it was good.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Just to clarify. The active compound, resveratrol, is present in the fruits and juices (& wines) of grapes, cherries, pomegranates, and it is most concentrated in the wine and juices, and the fresh fruits have the lowest concentration of this phytonutrient.

So if you want a more potent dose of resveratrol, wine, in moderation, or a juice is a way to go. My reservation at juice as a phytonutrient source is that you may be getting a large dose of sugar in addition to the heart healthy flavanoids. However, if you'd like some fiber, then the fresh stuff is a great alternative, or first choice, depending on your preference.

As for me, I occasionally like a deep dark red shiraz or something similar. To me, the dryer, the better!


Okay I'm too lazy to do the research myself...is this the science behind cherry juice being an anti-inflammatory? Yes...I'm getting ready to order barrels of cherry juice to see if it works on the tendonitis. But hey, if red wine will work...why not.

My vote is for a merlot...my favorite wine is actually a mix: Menage a Trois. One glass and I'm out like a light. I'm a lightweight. Drinking that is. Not scale wise. SiGh....

[Zen]

Yogurt is also known for it's anti-inflammatory properties...:rolleyes:

[Crankin]

Emily, I think we were separated at birth...
This is one of the many things we have in common!

Robyn

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Zen how ironic. I just found a health food store that carries my yogurt bugs so I can start making yogurt at home again. I'm so tired of spending money on yogurt when I can make it!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I think we were separated at birth...
This is one of the many things we have in common!

Robyn

I agree! :) I even used to live in MA (but only until age 4). My dad got his masters at MIT when I was a little girl.

Emily

[Zen]

Sports Geezer (http://www.sportsgeezer.com/sportsgeezer/2008/09/grape-juice-jus.html) once again references the NYT.

[malkin]

I'm much more of a hop-head myself.

But in the yogurt arena, my preference is for yogurt made from yogurt rather than made from the freeze dried critters. ALL of the yogurt at our local so-called-natural store has additives, but a year ago in Las Vegas I brought home a quart from Trader's and am still eating their descendents today.

[smilingcat]

biodynamic wine.... hmm heard that term somewhere.... BonnyDoonVinyard off icecream grade in Santa Cruz.

good stuff indeed. :) :D I have their wine snob membership. Get to taste lots of different varietal. They sent 2 bottles every 3 month?? off the beaten path varietal. If you are interested in lesser known varietal but something smashingly good, join their membership and you can read Randall Grahm, the owner, pinining about the virtue of wine.

Alas I have bit of an alergy. And no its not sulfite cause I can eat bacon with no problem and other sulfite filled garbage. Anyway, I do drink wine on occasion and take my chances with my alergic reaction to wine.

Love Shiraz from Australia (If I'm not mistaken its Petite Syrah), Syrah, Petite Syrah, Mervdre, Merlot, Cab., old growth gracefully aged Zin, Muscat, Viognier...

well just about all good wine. Roja from Spain, Good Tawny Port from Portugal,... Chillian wine... wine from Columbia River Valley of Washington, Russian River Valley of Ca, Sonoma, Napa, Central California like ABC (AuBonClimet) from Santa Barbra area...

But what I really love is a desert wine Sautern (sp) wine

What don't I like? well lets see a guy at my office claimed fame for knowing wine under $2.00 Boons Ripple, Thunderbird, Everclear, ??? All I can say to the stuff is blach... eekkk.

So the big question is what do you consider expensive or too expensive for a 750ml bottle of wine. (The regular size bottle of wine.)

smilingcat

[julesey]

"The Downtown Girl's Guide to Wine" by Megan Buckley and Sheree Bykofsky is a great read if you're interested in learning a little more about types of wine, food pairings, etc. It's so well written that I enjoyed reading it on the beach last summer!

[OakLeaf]

So the big question is what do you consider expensive or too expensive for a 750ml bottle of wine.

Depends on the occasion! We've found a pleasant cheap jug wine that's perfectly fine for an ordinary dinner at home. Depending on the occasion, the company, the wine, we can spend quite a bit, too. Price doesn't always correlate with quality, either, there's a lot of fashion involved. Not just pricing where the market will bear, which is always there, but different varietals come in and out of fashion, which affects the price by supply and demand.

Robert Sinskey is another California biodynamic producer. We visited their tasting room a couple of years ago and enjoyed everything we tasted. IIRC, Heller Estate is working on biodynamic certification as well, but I'm not sure about that, and they haven't got it yet in any case.


PS to alpinerabbit: I wouldn't be surprised if biodynamic wines are much more available in Switzerland than they are in the USA. The international organization (Demeter) is based in Brussels and well represents the major winemaking regions in Europe (apparently excepting France - not surprising). When we were in Austria a few years back, most restaurant menus offered several wines identified as biodynamic as well as a selection of organic wines.

(Also remember that "organic wine" in the USA includes the winemaking process, and is different from "wine from organically grown grapes.")

[Di bear]

Hi girls! Do you drink wine? If so, what kind (i.e. Merlot, Chardonnay)? How often? My mom is a doc and she gave me this article about drinking a glass (one only) of red wine a day would increase HDLs (the good cholesterol) and help keep disease at bay. So.....I really don't like alcohol. But, I would like to see how well this works. Do you drink with meals, or relaxing after dinner? Any advice on tasty wines would be much appreciated. Does alcohol affect performance? Thanks!

I keep a cellar, so I have wines of all kinds. I've found that any grape will most likely taste good when done in a style you appreciate, but mostly when it is drunk within the appropriate time frame.

MOST grocery stores, especially those like the ones in my small town, will carry wines that are past their prime. This means that the characteristic fruity flavor is diminishing and the wine really doesn't have the flavor that it once did. That missing flavor is what you are searching for.

Of the grocery store varieties, I prefer Beringers. While you can get a bottle of Beringers for probably around $6, it is still going to be of good quality. It is complexity of flavor and mouth feel that are most likely to vary between different price points. However, you don't need to pay $70 to get a great bottle of wine. There are MANY excellent wines that are available between the $20 and $40 range. One of my favorite wineries is Argyle, out of the Pacific Northwest. My favorite Pinot Noirs come from there. If you're looking for excellent juice, but lower prices (in the teens), check out Castle Rock. Castle Rock buys up the excess juice from larger, "more prestigious" wineries and bottles and ferments it for a more affordable price. I love Castle Rock. Your really can't go wrong there.

If you try one bottle you don't like, try a different vintage or a different grape. Wines will change from year to year because the grapes change due to varying differences from season to season. California and Australian wines tend to be bolder and, the new trend, stronger in alcohol content because the grapes are left on the vine longer and they get more sun. These grapes have a higher sugar content.

So, find out what wines are available to you, then get online and look for "drink by" years. There are plenty of web sites that offer tasting notes on different wines. This is where vintage is really important to not-so-serious wine drinkers - use it to get a good product. Buy the wines that are within the suggested "drink by" time frame and you will probably be a lot happier with your wine drinking. :)

***

Anyone who has studied chemistry knows that everything you learn is not true to a certain extent. Frustrating, I know. Wine is basically a pretty awesome chemistry experiment. Due to the nature of chemistry, these guidelines are basic and the theory of wine gets much more complex as you get into it more. These guidelines, however, will suffice for someone who is looking to simply enjoy a bottle of wine without getting into details. :)

BTW, studies have shown that white wines also offer the same great benefits as red. :)

[tulip]

Thanks, Di Bear. Great post. Once my house is renovated (by Christmas, for sure!) I'm going to set up a wine cellar in my basement. It'll be the right temp, and dark and out of the way. When I lived in France I had one, and I'd like to get back to it. I'm pretty good with varieties and such, but the chemistry is a mystery to me and I want to learn more about it.

[Di bear]

I strongly recommend picking up a book by Jancis Robinson. I have a wine course book and a tasting book by her. :) They're beautifully illustrated and well-written.

[OakLeaf]

We're just beginning learning from the wine aromas kit from Le Nez du Vin. Being able to isolate aromas is really worthwhile in terms of figuring out food pairings, plus it's fun!