Chill Out: Cheers To Red, Red Wine!

Sometimes we do need to chill out like taking a break from blogging and pampering ourselves with a glass of wine and watching a good DVD movie.

Normally, coffee is my poison of choice while I blog late into the night. So once in a while I'll sit back and relax with my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon. This red wine is generally full-flavoured and has a smooth, lingering "finish".

I prefer red wine because numerous studies have indicated that it appears to protect the heart. No harm following doctor's order.

I have bookmarked a few interesting wine websites for personal information on the great varieties. And the latest one that was pointed out to me is Just Vineyards.com - a comprehensive and elegant website based on a nearly 5,000 record database of vineyards and wineries in all 50 U.S. states.



The site contains links to individual vineyards throughout the U.S. and also links to upcoming events, blogs and a wine search engine.

If you like your bubbly and want to know more about wine, you will not be disappointed by visiting this website which was launched recently at a time when the US wine industry is undergoing sweeping changes.

According to Wine Business Magazine, the American wine industry represents more than $162 billion in 2005.

According to the latest data from ACNielsen, American consumers are buying higher-priced wine than ever in the last 34 months.

Related post:
White Wine Fans, Raise Your Glasses!

Hearty Cheers To White Wine

White wine may bring cheers to your heart.

All the while, we have been told that red wine is good for the heart. But early this month, a new study has suggested that the lighter wines may be just as good as the red.

This challenges the notion that red wines, like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir, are better for the heart than white wines, such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and Riesling.

Until now, research has suggested the bulk of grapes' heart-healthy benefits come from antioxidant compounds primarily found in their skins. These compounds are called anthocyanins and contribute to the red color of the fruit.

In the making of red wines, the grape skins are crushed along with the pulp. But the skins are quickly separated out during the making of most white wines.

That led to the conventional belief that red wines, which contain more of these compounds, are responsible for the drink's beneficial effects in fighting heart disease. [read more...]