Appellation America    --  for news about regional American and California wines, see this comprehensive site
                                                                               also Articles & Wine Reviews by B.E.

www.winebid.com    --   wine auction news and prices

                           
                    www.patriciawells.com   --   Pat Wells cooking classes in Paris and Provence
 

 Sally's Place    --  wine and food, including B.E.'s articles
 

B.E.'s articles:

Parade: A Toast to U.S. Wines

Pinot Noir:  The Enigmatic Grape

A New Look at Riesling

This is the month to nourish and pamper your heart and give free rein to all those romantic impulses to express love and affection. Spread it around lavishly; the more generous we are in our affections the better we feel — it’s heartwarming and contagious. Just watch how your pets, including the four-legged ones, respond.

Short as it is, February is one of our most important months with the birthdays of two of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 12 and George Washington on Feb. 22 (alas, most school children no longer know these dates). It is also celebrated as Black History Month, with Valentine’s Day falling right in the middle. So it’s appropriate that the president — for the past 13 years — has also declared February as American Heart Month to make us mindful of heart health. And in this regard, red wine drinkers can cheer. Again and again, studies here in the United States and in Europe show that compounds in red wine — one or two 5-ounce glasses — contain significant amounts of antioxidants and cardio-protective elements.

The studies suggest that certain compounds known as polyphenols, specifically resveratrol and quercetin, fight against the formation of plaque in the arteries and combat the oxidation of cell membranes that contribute to the aging process and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Quercetin, furthermore, is a flavonoid and shows a promising capacity to inhibit cell growth in certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Flavonoids derive from plant pigments, which give color to fruits, vegetables and flowers. While flavonoids can be found in many plants, from berries and nuts to apples (with skins), green tea and numerous other foods, the greatest concentration of resveratrol and quercetin is found in red wine. The fermentation process of turning grapes into wine seems to enhance the effect, enabling the body to absorb more than by eating grapes alone.

Scientists are working to isolate these compounds for medical use — in pills, for instance. But in the studies, even with mice or in vitro, that have utilized red wine, it is unknown as yet if either of the compounds will have the same effect; there may be other constituents that contribute to the benefits. It may like vitamin C, which is more effective in combination with rutins and bioflavanoids than with the synthetic compound alone.

Sure suits a red wine aficionado like me. And actually, these findings may account for the so-called French Paradox — subject of a 60 Minutes segment back in 1991. How is it that the French, whose fat-rich cuisine would seem to deal lethal blows to heart health, have a far lower incidence of heart problems than diet-conscious Americans? The speculation has been that it might be the red wine they drink with rich meals. Now science has proven it so, and the study results continue to be replicated. A recent study reported by scientists at Johns Hopkins University indicates that resveratrol activates a family of enzymes known as sirtuins that extends longevity. For more details on these remarkable findings and their potential, Google the terms “resveratrol” and “quercetin.”

Isn’t it nice to know as you enjoy a glass of Syrah or Zinfandel or Cabernet that the wine is giving you more than delightful flavor? But there is a caveat: More is not better! Moderation is the key, 10 to 12 ounces — roughly two generous glasses — offer the greatest benefits. Beyond that, the downside of alcohol kicks in. Over-indulgence, in other words, can wipe out those benefits and even kill or damage brain cells.