The Three P’s Of Selecting A Wine

The three “P”s in selecting a wine: Price, Preference and Pairing.

Always keep these in your mind when choosing a wine and you’ll usually come away with a winner.

Price

The price you are willing, or not willing, to pay for a bottle of wine is an important factor in selecting the wine that’s right for you.

It used to be that a “good” bottle of wine cost no less than $30. But today, there are plenty of outstanding wines available for around $15 or less.

So rest assured that you don’t have to pay a fortune to experiment with various wines. A decent wine merchant will be able to give you plenty of suggestions in your price range.
Preference

We all have our own preferences. And they can change in a second. However, with your wine preferences, allow to change in accordance to what you’ll be drinking them with or who you will be sharing them with.

An example; you’re hosting an afternoon get-together. So your preferences may lean towards “safe” reds and whites. For people that aren’t used to heavy-bodied, heartier wines, give ‘em a break. Serve a softer Merlot or Pinot Noir. These are sometimes referred to as “Starter Reds.”

As far as white wine, who doesn’t enjoy a refreshing Gewurztraminer? If you want to experiment with a new varietal, then speak to your local wine merchant about wines. Styles and labels that you have enjoyed in the past. Asking him for specific recommendations should provide good direction for another great find.

If you, yourself, are new to wines and need a few suggestions – try a Riesling, Gewurztraminer. Or even a Muscat dessert wine if sweeter wines suit your fancy.

Do you prefer a drier white wine? Look for a Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.

As for reds, start with a Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Merlot if you don’t want anything too complex or full-bodied.

However, if you’re looking to turn up the complexity meter, then go with a great California Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (or Shiraz if its from Australia) or a Zinfandel.

Pairing

If you’re specifically looking for a wine to go with dinner tonight, you should take into account what the key ingredients will be.

Will you serve white or red meat?

Will you be using fresh or dried herbs? And what types of herbs?

Will the dish be spicy or fruit-filled?

These questions play an important role in deciding which wines will go well with specific entrees.

In general, white wines accent a lighter flavored meal very well, while red wines more often compliment heartier meals.

Keep in mind that pairing foods and wines is 99% personal preference and 1% science.

The Health Benefits Of Wine

Is wine really good for you? It’s true, a glass or two can help your heart, prevent cancer and more. In moderation, and of course, as part of a healthy diet, the short answer is yes!

Because of its alcohol content and the non-alcoholic phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant compounds), wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and even slow the progression of neurological degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

Of course, the amount of wine you drink matters. A lot. If you drink more than what’s recommended, the health benefits are lost and your health risks rise.

What’s considered safe and effective? Well, for men, no more than two drinks per day. For women, no more than one. “One” drink is defined as a 5-ounce glass of red or white wine.

When it comes to wine and its health benefits, here’s what we know:

It’s been proven that moderate amounts of alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL) and thin your blood. This is thought to be one of the primary cardiovascular benefits from wine (red and white) (as well as hard liquor and beer).

Non-alcoholic phytochemicals in wine, such as flavanoids and resveratrol, act as antioxidants and prevent molecules known as “free radicals” from causing cellular damage in the body. Although some studies that have focused on the health benefits of resveratrol use much greater dosages than you’ll find in an average glass of wine, resveratrol has been shown to prevent blood clotting and plaque formation in arteries by altering lipid profiles and plasma viscosity.

Findings from a recent study suggest that resveratrol can produce potent anti-thrombotic agents that can potentially improve cardiovascular health and lower the risk for coronary heart disease. In animal studies, resveratrol even reduced tumor incidence by affecting one or more stages of cancer development.

Red wine provides much more resveratrol than white wine. That’s because the longer the skin is kept on the grape during the wine making process, the greater the concentration of resveratrol in the wine.

In the case of white wine and its production, the skin is removed before fermentation, giving white wines a lower concentration in resveratrol compared to red wines. Also, wines made in cooler climates have greater amounts of resveratrol too. So, red wines from cool climates have the most resveratrol.