QUESTION: Does a glass of red wine a day really keep the doctor away? What are the major health benefits of drinking wine?
ANSWER: A glass of wine a day does in fact keep the doctor away (at least as well as an apple a day) unless your doctor is a wine lover. Then you might have to pour two glasses. Like so many healthy foods, wine should be consumed in moderation and combined with exercise and an overall healthy diet. The good stuff in wine are the antioxidants that have protective effects with respect to cardiovascular disease and are reported to have helpful effects for treating some cancer and Alzheimer patients. In addition, studies show that alcohol, in moderate amounts, can help keep bloodflow regular and can also help lower LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
QUESTION: What types of wine have the best health benefit?
ANSWER: Dry red wine has more cardiovascular friendly antioxidants because of the presence of tannin (a grape preservative). Examples of those types of red wine would include Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel (not White Zinfandel), Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and other Italian, French and Spanish Reds. White wine also has some tannins present, but less than the red varieties.
QUESTION: What is the first thing you should consider when you purchase wine?
ANSWER: In purchasing wine, go to a reputable wine shop where the staff is knowledgeable. Give them some guidelines on what you like and are intending to serve it with. First consider if you are having it with food or as a sipping wine. Food can greatly change how each wine is enjoyed by selecting a good pairing.
QUESTION: What kinds of questions should you ask your server when deciding on a wine at a restaurant?
ANSWER: Again, first decide what you want for food, then if you have had a particular wine that you enjoyed previously, ask the server what wine on their list might be similiar and would pair well with your food selection. Many good restaurants also allow "corkage" where you could bring your own bottle and pay a fee to have the wait staff serve it. You should check ahead to see if this is permitted, then use your local wine shop to expand your possibilities. For higher priced special wines, this is often a less expensive way to enjoy fine wine and gourmet dining.
QUESTION: What is your favorite place to share a bottle of wine in Asheville?
ANSWER: My favorite place to share a bottle of wine in Asheville would be during or after a hike/drive near the Blue Ridge Parkway or along the French Broad River. You need nothing more than "a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou." At night, it would have to be at one of our downtown, independent restaurants or venues that allow "corkage" or have an extensive wine selection. We're lucky to have a good number that fill those requirements.
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