Is It Better To Sleep In A Cold Or Warm Room When Sick
Many people like sleeping in a cool room, but dont make it so cold that you wake up shivering in the middle of the night. When youre feeling sick, you might want to consider raising the temperature a little, rather than letting the thermostat drop. Just dont forget to change it back when youre feeling better.
What A Wines Vintage Means
A wines vintage is the year in which it was bottled. Many wine novices assume if theyre holding two bottles of the same wine from different vintages, the older wine will be better.
Not true: Many more people are drinking wine these days than even 20 years ago, so winemakers are mass producing wines with methods that ensure theyre delicious right when theyre released, Wallace says.
In fact, if you inspect the shelves in wine stores, you may see two vintages of the exact same wine, and the younger is more expensive.;
Helpful hack: Some pricey wines are still made to be aged, but most bottles will taste best if you pop the cork today or in the next few months, Wallace says. ;
The Best Time To Open A Bottle Is Subjective The Trick Is Getting To Know Your Own Preferences Which Takes A Bit Of Time And Effort
Which stage you prefer depends on the particular wine and, especially, your own taste.
It used to be said that the British adored the character of well-aged Champagne in which the bubbles, perhaps aggressive in youth, had softened to a gentle fizz, and the flavors had opened into toasty complexity, perhaps with a bare touch of caramel. Biscuity, as the Brits like to say.
These are broad generalizations, of course. The point is that the best time to open a bottle is subjective. The trick is getting to know your own preferences, which takes a bit of time and effort.
One good method is to buy multiple bottles of an age-worthy wine. A case is great, but six is plenty. Then you wait, sometimes for a long time. Open a bottle in two years, a second in five. Note the path of the evolution and decide which stage you prefer.
Years ago, before prices soared, I bought six bottles of Louis Jadot Clos St.-Jacques 2002, an excellent premier cru Gevrey-Chambertin. I opened a bottle in 2007, and it was way too young, offering only the barest hint of what it might be. Drinking it was like being confined to only the first paragraph of a great book.
If that had been my only bottle, I might have been despondent. Aging one bottle of a wine is a risky proposition, like putting all your money into a single stock. With multiple bottles, your bets are hedged. Opening one bottle too early becomes useful information rather than a source of despair.
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You Might Have Better Gut Health
A 2019 study in the journal;Gastroenterology;found that people who drank red wine had a greater;diversity of good bacteria in their guts compared with people who did not drink red wine. The researchers did not see the same effect with white wine or other types of alcohol, according to the study of more than 900 female twins. Having more diverse bacteria is thought to help with food digestion, immune function, and weight management. An unhealthy balance of gut bacteria has been linked to weight gain and susceptibility to several diseases. In the study, the red wine drinkers were also less likely to be obese and had lower levels of LDL cholesterol than those who didnt drink it. And it didnt need to be a daily drink. The researchers found that drinking red wine even once every two weeks was enough to see the effect.
Understanding Wine Makes It Taste Better
Studies have shown that more complex descriptions of red and white wine actually make those wines;taste better. Intuitively, this makes sense. If you have more vocabulary to describe what you’re imbibing, your brain is better able to discern subtler flavors.
So we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to different wine types that will break down the basics of what makes different wines, well,;different,;and the key descriptors you need to know to get the most out of whatever wine you’re drinking.
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This Is How Much Wine Is Safe To Drink Per Day
What happens when you drink wine every day? The side effects are not as bad as you may assume. In fact, it can do a body good. Wine has some great health benefits. It just so happens to be the best beverage to drink regularly for a longer life, it may protect your heart, it could reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and it can help reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.
But if you want to reap these benefits rather than drinking alcohol’s downfalls , then you’ll want to make sure you’re drinking the right amount of wine. So how much wine is too much?
You’ll often see the same phrase again and again when it comes to reaping wine’s health benefits: it has to be in moderation.
What moderation means according to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans is up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. For wine, a drink is defined as 5 fluid ounces at 12% alcohol by volume.
While this is the USDA’s recommended limit for those who drink, it is not a recommendation to actually consume that amount of alcohol. According to the USDA, “those who do not drink should not begin to drink because they believe alcohol would make them healthier.”
That being said, alcohol can be consumed at low levels with relatively low riskand can actually offer some health benefits if you make sure to consume it in moderation. Let’s take a look.
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Does Wine Boost The Immune System
Certainly, excessive drinking can severely affect the immune system. High alcohol intake suppresses the immune system, and significantly increases the risk of development of many infectious diseases. It promotes the generation of free radicals during detoxification.
On the contrary, red wine consumption doesnt suppress the immune system, as compared to other alcoholic beverages.
Practically, the amount of alcohol in a glass of red wine wont negatively affect the immune system.
Actually, red wine boosts the immune system, despite its alcohol content because it greatly increases the plasma antioxidant capacity. Phytochemicals in red wine have such powerful antioxidant actions that offset the detrimental effects of alcohol on immunity.
If you want to boost your polyphenol intake, you could drink grape juice as well. Grape juice is also pretty rich in polyphenols. Additionally, grapes are good for losing weight.
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How To Drink Red Wine In The Summer
Because warm weather isn’t only about rosé.
Temperatures are rising but that doesn’t mean you have to switch to rosé. Red wines still deserve a place on your table, whether that table is indoors or out.;The most refreshing way to make red wine a part of your summer routine is to chill it. Not all red wines should be chilled, though: Chilling full-bodied, high tannin, high-alcohol reds like cabernet sauvignon will make them taste astringent and metallic; and savory wines like syrah that have lots of leathery, earthy, or spicy flavors will not drink well when chilled.;The best red wines to chill are naturally light in body, low in tannins , and are fruity. Chilling reds like these brings out their liveliness and minimizes the perception of alcohol.
The best way to chill a bottle of red for summer sipping? In an ice bucket or cooler. If you can’t tuck the bottle into ice, simply put it in your refrigerator for 45-60 minutes before you plan to drink it.;Here,;five red wines that are perfect chilled.
If You Want To Bring Something To A Housewarming Party:
“Pinot noir is comfortable. People know it. Most casual wine drinkers will have experience with the grape. They see it everywhere. But, it still has some clout. So, a pinot from Oregon could be a really solid choice here,” Selecman said. You can get a really reputable producer between $30 and $40. I don’t want to call this a total failsafe, because everyone’s different, but with this in mind, you’re going to get a really nice bottle of wine.”
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May Benefit Heart Health
10 ).
Researchers believe that red wines high concentration of polyphenol antioxidants can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases .
Some research suggests that drinking red wine may reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, which may reduce the risk of heart disease .
Yet, other studies suggest that a daily glass of red wine does not reduce blood pressure in people with normal blood pressure or those who already have heart disease (
26 ).
In fact, an average of 87, 798 people die in the United States each year due to excessive alcohol consumption. This accounts for 1 in 10 deaths for adults between the ages of 20 and 64 .
Heavy alcohol consumption poses several health risks, including an increased risk of certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, liver and pancreatic diseases, as well as unintentional injury .
A recent analysis of studies found the optimal daily intake of wine to be 1 glass for women and 2 glasses for men. Drinking this moderate amount of wine is associated with health benefits, while drinking more than that may impact your health .
The US governments most recent dietary guidelines make similar recommendations. They suggest that, if you drink alcohol, you should do so in moderation, which means one drink for women and up to two drinks for men per day .
28 ).
In other words, if you didnt drink wine before, you dont need to start simply for the health benefits.
What’s The Bulleit Of Wine A Few Picks
Picking an actual wine and feeling confident you’re getting a decent bottle is, of course, a major barrier for anyone. We’ve been wondering:;What wines are similar to Bulleit Rye, as in: affordable, widely available, and generally regarded as good?
It’s a difficult question to answer, since annual variations in climate, grape quality, and a dozen other factors make the year-to-year quality of a wine vary more than a grain-based alcohol. That said, our research indicates these picks are worth consideration as safe, reliable value for your dollar:
Whites
- Chardonnay:;Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve California Chardonnay;
- Chenin Blanc:;Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier
- Sauvignon blanc:;Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling/Pinot Gris/Moscato blend:;Hugel et Fils Gentil Alsace
Reds
- Cabernet sauvignon:;Beringer Founders Estate California Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot:;Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Merlot
- Zinfandel:;Bogle Old Vine California Zinfandel
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Best White Wine For Beginners
It really is a matter of personal preference of whether or not you begin your wine drinking experience with reds or whites, but generally, it’s best to begin with white wines. The reason for this is because white wines are lighter bodied and easier on the palate than reds. Here are a few great starter whites:
- Pinot Grigio: One of the most user friendly white wines on the market, Pinot Grigio wines are light bodied and crisp, both in finish and flavor characteristics. Give Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio a try.
- Moscato d’Asti: This slightly frizzy, off-dry wine from Italy is a delight. It has flavors of apricots and almonds, and offers a crispy sweet and juicy sip that tickles the nose as you drink it.
- Riesling: This wine ranges from dry to very sweet, but is almost universally loved for its crisp citrus and mineral flavors, bright acidity, and light body. Try a German Riesling, or enjoy a bottle from Washington State such as the Columbia Cellermaster’s Riesling.
- Sauvignon Blanc: This is a crisp, refreshing light bodied white with simple flavors that include kiwi and citrus. It’s also a wonderful summer wine because it is so refreshing. Try a bottle from Kim Crawford.
How A Penny Can Save Your Spoiled Bottle Of Wine
In fact, Turner advises that all Greek varieties allow for exceptional pairings due to the meze style of cuisine the country is renowned for. Greek wine has the greatest affability to food of any country, says Turner. Greek cuisine in general was never a one-plate, one-course meal, we pile stuff in the middle; so youd want to make wines for that!
As Greek wines continue to garner popularity in the United States, back in Greece, Turner hopes to see more oenotourism throughout the country. The Peloponnese currently draws the most attention for wine aficionados, but Santorini, Nemera and Crete are also authoritative starting points to a self-guided tour.
Turner predicts the eruption of wineries from lesser-known regions of Greece to continue to revolutionize the category.
He concludes, Using rare indigenous grapes, from various far-flung areas across both the islands and the mainland, these wineries are at the vanguard of new Greek winemaking. They are the future.
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Red Wine Contains Powerful Plant Compounds And Antioxidants Including Resveratrol
Grapes are rich in many antioxidants. These include resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin and proanthocyanidins .
These antioxidants, especially resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, are believed to be responsible for the health benefits of red wine.
Proanthocyanidins may reduce oxidative damage in the body. They may also help prevent heart disease and cancer (
- 11.5 glasses a day for women.
- 12 glasses a day for men.
Some sources also recommend having 1-2 alcohol-free days each week.
Keep in mind that this refers to total alcohol intake. Drinking this amount of red wine in addition to other alcoholic beverages could easily put you in the range of excessive consumption.
If you have a history of substance abuse, then you should probably avoid wine and any other alcoholic beverage completely. Also be very careful if you have a family history of alcoholism.
Bottom Line:
Moderate intake of red wine is defined as 1-2 glasses per day. It is also recommended that you have at least 12 days a week without alcohol.
Is Wine Harmful To Cats
Yes, wine is harmful to cats. However, it depends on how much wine the cat has consumed, when it last ate, and its general metabolism.
The most frequent response to alcohol in cats is a behavioral change. This usually results in the cat being either agitated or sleepy.
However, the long-term effects of alcohol consumption go beyond merely a shift in habit.
Even little amounts of alcohol can cause health problems in our cat .
As we had mentioned in one of our earlier articles about cats drinking alcohol, even modest amounts of wine can cause:
- Consciousness loss
Even small quantities of wine might cause serious health problems for your fluffy buddy.
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Understanding Wine Is A Process
Take the next month to buy one new bottle of wine a week . Uncork and take a few moments to taste and describe it using the descriptors above. Make sure you try a different type of wine each week and repeat the same process. At the end of the month you’ll start to feel more comfortable with the vocabulary of wine, which can have a profound effect on your enjoyment.
At the end of the day, you really cant make a wrong choice. As long as you pay attention to what it is that you dont like about a wine, each bottle will get you closer to what you do like. Take it one glass at a time and dont be afraid to admit it if you cant quite put your finger on something. Focus on enjoying your winethats the entire point.
How Do I Know If I Am An Alcoholic
To assess your alcohol consumption, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you frequently intend to stop at one drink and over imbibe?
- Have you tried to quit drinking and been unsuccessful?
- Do you drink almost every day?
- Do you get cravings for alcohol?
- Do you miss school, work, or family functions because youre hangover?
- Is your drinking causing problems in your family life or friendships?
- Has your drinking caused you to give up the activities you once enjoyed?
- Is your alcohol consumption stretching your income?
- Does your drinking put you in a position dangerous to yourself or others?
- Is your drinking affecting your physical health?
- Do you require increasing amounts of alcohol to get that happy feeling a drink or two used to give you?
- Do you feel depressed, insecure, anxious, irritable, or unloved because of your drinking?
- When you dont drink, do you experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, or tremors?
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Knowing How To Drink Wine Doesnt Have To Be Complicated
Whether youre new to wines or simply want to get reacquainted with this spirited world, knowing how to drink wine doesnt need to be an arduous process. Armed with the right tools and an understanding of wine terminology, varietals, and the winemaking processes, the rest comes down to personal preference and a willingness to try new things.
Drinking wine is a multisensory experience that each drinker will embrace in their own unique way. The best way to gain knowledge of wine is to drink a variety of bottles and develop your own palate. If you can do that, then youll understand the intense pleasure that humans have felt for centuries when popping the cork on a bottle of wine.
