Wine evolution:

Before I went to Italy I thought wine was only fit for dinners, and even then, not every night.
Now I drink a glass of wine most nights with dinner.
I often drink a glass of wine with my lunch of bruschetta and mozzarella.
I sometimes drink a glass while I'm cooking dinner or baking bread.
And I've been eyeing the bottle in the morning as I eat my raisin bran.....

Teresa

We all change and things change... I remember once a few years back I went to the doctor for a check up - I had to aswer a multiple choice that asked how often do you drink ?
A Never
B Once a month
C once a week
D twice a week
E Every day

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I always thought that question was ridicolous - It made you feel by answering E like if I was an alcoholic ! 99% of France and Italy will answer E and life expectancy in the Mediterranean region is the highest in the world after Japan - So I think some wine everyday is good - Well, maybe not in the morning ok ....Read the following beginning of an article from the Post


From the Washington Post:
VITAL EVIDENCE
Another Study, Another Reason to Drink Red Wine
Thursday, November 30, 2006; Page A02


Scientists have found another clue to explain why red wine may be good for you, identifying substances in vin rouge that appear to be associated with increased longevity in parts of France.

Researchers have long been fascinated by the "French paradox" -- the fact that French people tend to have relatively few heart attacks despite a rich diet -- and many studies have suggested that a glass or two of red wine every day is beneficial.

Recently, attention focused on a substance called resveratrol, which research showed could help laboratory mice live longer when taken in high doses. But resveratrol occurs in relatively low levels in wine, meaning people would have to drink hundreds of glasses a day to enjoy any possible benefits.

In the latest research, Roger Corder of Queen Mary's School of Medicine in London and colleagues analyzed various components of red wine. They found that substances called procyanidins appeared to have the most potent beneficial effect on the cells that enable arteries to power the heart.

Moreover, the researchers discovered that levels of procyanidins were highest in red wines produced in southwestern France, where French men tend to live the longest, according to a report in today's issue of the journal Nature.

The winemakers of that region tend to use more traditional techniques in which Tannat grapes are soaked with their seeds longer, boosting the procyanidins.

The research suggests that one or two glasses a day of cabernet sauvignon or other Madiran wines made with similar grapes and methods would be enough to get the health benefits, Corder said.

Procyanidins are also found in dark chocolate, apples and cranberries.


-- Rob Stein

I knew it!
Wine and chocolate... with cranberries. That and an occasional loaf of good sourdough bread and I'm set!

Paolo, I have heard about this French paradox before. Thanks for the article, it was good to get some more information about it.

When I asked some Italian friends while in Italy this last summer about their wine consumption, they said the same thing you're saying... that of course they drink wine for lunch, for dinner, for because they feel like it. And another friend pointed out to me that while everyone drinks wine, there aren't that many alcoholics there - especially compared to here in the States.

I know that when Italy won the World Cup this year, not one person was drunk and crazy... well, not one ITALIAN person. Stranieri were drunk, Italians were just happy and drinking wine, and excited. I was struck then by how differently Italians and American seem to handle their alcohol.

I'll take the glass of healthy red wine every day for dinner, and I'll just have to admit to it on those health forms!

Teresa