Do you drink wine?

[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!

[ibcycling]

Wine is what got me started on riding! 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.
rerganic 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.
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!

[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...

[Crankin]

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

Robyn