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Red wine offsets harmful effects of obesity

UT researchers found that resveratrol, a natural phenol found in red wine, grapes, peanuts and berries, can mitigate some of the harmful effects of a high-fat diet. Red wine, when consumed in moderation, has long been considered a drink that has certain health benefits. Last year in December, Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin published findings that showed that red wine can offset some of the damage caused to the body by a poor diet.

“This is the first study showing resveratrol’s effects on the immune system,” said Christopher Jolly, associate professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences.

UT researchers Apeksha Gulvady, Robert Cabrera and Henry Ciolino worked on the project, which showed that resveratrol, a natural phenol found in red wine, grapes, peanuts and berries, can mitigate some of the harmful effects of a high-fat diet.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, suggests that an increase in resveratrol consumption can mitigate some of the negative effects on the immune system caused by obesity, in addition to reducing weight gain caused by a diet high in fat.

Researchers used lab mice to test how a resveratrol enriched diet affects health.

“The importance of these results on obesity is that if what we see in the animals also occurs in humans, then a 10% decrease of body fat could be used by obese individuals on high fat diets to get closer to average body fat amounts,” Cabrera said.
-The research group compared mice on a high-fat diet with resveratrol supplementation with mice on a high-fat diet without resveratrol supplementation. The results showed that weight loss was much more profound in the mice that were given resveratrol.

“The high fat with high resveratrol treatment compared to the high fat without treatment produced a loss in weight of almost ten grams, which was highly significant,” said Cabrera. “Body fat also significantly decreased by approximately ten percent.”

Most importantly, however, the study uncovered information about resveratrol and immune function. Obesity can affect immune function by decreasing the activity of the thymus, which is an organ of the immune system that produces T cells, or cells that fight infection. A decrease in thymic activity invariably leads to a higher susceptibility to infectious disease. The study showed that resveratrol, however, can mitigate the said decrease in thymic activity, and therefore mitigate the depression of the immune system.

“The impact on thymus structure and function were similarly altered, with a small but significant decrease in lipid droplets and restored output of newly generated T cells,” Cabrera said.

Similar studies have open doors to a multitude of possibilities in terms of correcting poor diets and offsetting the harmful effects of obesity. Research is also going on to see if phenols other than resveratrol have similar, or more widely applicable, health benefits.

“We are testing a variety of natural phenols in the lab for improving health and reducing the negative impact of poor diet or exposure to environmental and chemical toxicants,” Cabrera said. “We expect some of them to positively impact animals and eventually humans in the long term after they undergo translational and clinical testing.”

Icewine needs cold but not this cold

Given the recent Polar Vortex temperatures experienced in most of Canada and the Eastern US, as well as being big fans of Ice Wine the following article highlighted that even the making of Ice Wine in Ontario can't be done with temperatures hovering around -20C. Brrrr!

Click on the link below.

http://www.wineindustryinsight.com/ex_nf.php?url=http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/01/06/icewine-needs-cold-but-not-this-cold/

Wine recipes

Want to add spice to your Christmas? Need something new to serve? Let us bring you to a ride around the world in the comfort of your home by indulging in these Christmas recipes. Now who said you could not be at two places at the same time?

What would be the better place to start than the recipe that has been around since the ancient Romans―mulled wine!

Germany’s Glühwein

Ingredients                                        

• 750 ml Red wine
• 2  Star anise
• Cinnamon stick (s)
• 6  Cloves
• Lemon (s)
• 50 g Sugar

Instructions:

1. Cut the lemon in half, and then slice it into parts as seen in the picture. Squeeze the lemon juice and put it with the lemon slices on a medium sauce pan.
2. Add wine, sugar and spices. Heat it slowly. Wine may only be heated up to 80°C. Never make it boil.
3. Do this for about 15 minutes. You can also add sugar depending on your taste.
4. Filter the wine using a sieve and serve in heat-resistant glasses.

Note: It is important to pay attention to wine quality as this could make or break this recipe, especially if you plan on adding just a little amount of sugar. The one we recommend would be heavy wines like Pinot Noir.

Scandinavia’s Glӧgg

Ingredients:

·                  1 bottle of red wine

·                  0.5 Liter inexpensive brandy or vodka

• 10 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick (broken down)
• 1/ orange peel (dried or fresh)
• ½ lbs sugar (regular or lumped)

Optional Ingredients: 5 cloves, ½ cup raisins, ½ cup almonds and 5 dried figs.

Instructions:

1. Heat the wine, brandy and other ingredients in the pot. Don’t add the sugar. You may also add the raisins and cloves or any other ingredient that you like.
2. Let it simmer for 45 minutes. Don’t ever let it boil. If you want a stronger drink, add more brandy.
3. Strain through a cloth to separate the solids.
4. You may now serve your Glӧgg over the sugar. Feel free to add some raisins and almonds as desired.

Recipe from: http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/restaurantsdining/r/gloggrecipe.htm

Photo from: http://promenaderpalandet.blogspot.com/2010/11/glogg-ar-jul.html

Oriental Infused Mulled Wine

By: Chef Phillip Kraal

Ingredients:

• one bottle of red wine
• one orange
• one lime
• 2-3 thick slices of root ginger
• 2-3 star anise
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 5 whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 3-4 stalks of coriander
• 1-2 fresh chilles
• 1/2 cup clear liquid honey
• 1 cup Stones ginger wine
• 1/4 Cointreau
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients except the ginger wine and the Cointreau in al large pot. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
2. The next day, heat the mixture in low to medium heat for 20-25 minutes. Don’t let it boil. Stir occasionally to ensure that the honey is dissolved. Wait until steam/smoke appears from the ingredients have been blended well.
3. Add the ginger wine and Cointreau.
4. Serve!

Recipe: http://www.radionz.co.nz/collections/recipes/oriental-infused-mulled-wine

Picture: http://www.healthyliquor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/redwine.jpg

Quentão deVinho

(Brazilian Mulled Wine)

Ingredients:

• 34 fl. ounces (1 liter) red wine such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon (or grape juice if desired)
• 17 fl. ounces (1/2 liter) of water
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 slices of fresh ginger, peeled
• 6 cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup sugar (or more, if desired)
  

  Recipe and Picture from: http://www.frombraziltoyou.org/quentao-de-vinho-brazilian-mulled-wine/

  ://www.frombraziltoyou.org/quentao-de-vinho-brazilian-mulled-wine/

Instructions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to boil in high heat.
2. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved (about 2-3 minutes). Let it boil for 10 more minutes.
3. Strain and serve warm. Garnish as desired.

Jacob’s Creek Creates Wine For Curry

We are constantly asked, 'what is the best wine to drink with a curry?' Perhaps this is the answer?

Following the launch of Wah in April of this year a Jacob’s Creek white wine designed specifically to pair with Japanese food – winemakers at the Pernod-owned Australian wine brand have turned their attention to Thai food.

Made in collaboration with internationally-renowned Thai chef ,Ian Kittichai Lamoon is a red blend which, it is claimed, will complement the array of different dishes that are served at a Thai meal.

China to Double Wine Production Within 5 Years

Can China overtake Spain, France and Italy to become the world's biggest wine producer?

The article below seems to suggest this!!

China will be the world’s biggest wine producer within five years, according to a leading light at France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).

While China is currently the world’s fifth-largest producer of wine, Boris Petric, an anthropologist with the research body, estimates it will soon have the most land under vine and produce more wine than any other country.

In effect, Petric's prediction means that China will double its vineyard land over the next five years. In comparison, in 2012, Spain had 1m hectares under vine, followed by France with 800,000 hectares, according to figures from the Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV). While China's vineyard has increased by 90 percent since 2011, the 2012 figures put its total at 570,000 hectares and a large proportion of these vines are dedicated to table grapes.

Similarly, China produced 14.8m hectoliters of wine in 2012, while France and Italy each turned out 40 million hl.

However, according to Petric, China’s strategy for growing vines is not down to a national love of wine. “Firstly, it is for political reasons, in order to help poor regions that are struggling economically," he says. "[It also assists] desert regions, where the vines help to fix the sand and prevent sandstorms in cities.”

The region of Ningxia, for example, is fighting desertification and relies on ancient irrigation systems from the Yellow River to grow crops.

Petric believes that China's battle against alcoholism is another reason for planting vines, as wine offers a lower-alcohol alternative to the domestic white spirit baijiu. He notes: "Alcoholism is a catastrophe in China.”

While foreign wine giants such as LVMH and Pernod Ricard are investing in Chinese vineyards, major Chinese groups are buying up vineyards around the world. Food giant Cofco, which accounts for around 17 percent of China's domestic wine market, has already purchased vineyards in Bordeaux and Chile to ensure a competitive advantage against foreign brands.

There are also many wealthy individuals who are looking to protect their money by acquiring assets beyond Chinese borders.

In China, wine is seen as a luxury item, said Petric. “The culture of gifting is very important in China and wine is often bought for show,” he explained, noting that sales figures and actual consumption were two very different numbers. However, he added that the number of wine enthusiasts and wine bars was gradually increasing.

World faces global wine shortage!

A recent BBC report maintains that we are facing a global wine shortage. Read article below.

The world is facing a wine shortage, with global consumer demand already significantly outstripping supply, a report has warned.

The research by America's Morgan Stanley financial services firm says demand for wine "exceeded supply by 300m cases in 2012".

It describes this as "the deepest shortfall in over 40 years of records".

Last year, production also dropped to its lowest levels in more than four decades.

Global production has been steadily declining since its peak in 2004, when supply outweighed demand by about 600m cases.

The report by Morgan Stanley's analysts Tom Kierath and Crystal Wang says global wine consumption has been rising since 1996 (except a drop in 2008-09), and presently stands at about 3bn cases per year.

At the same time, there are currently more than one million wine producers worldwide, making some 2.8bn cases each year.

The authors predict that - in the short term - "inventories will likely be reduced as current consumption continues to be predominantly supplied by previous vintages"

And as consumption then inevitably turns to the 2012 vintage, the authors say they "expect the current production shortfall to culminate in a significant increase in export demand, and higher prices for exports globally".

They say this could be partly explained by "plummeting production" in Europe due to "ongoing vine pull and poor weather".

Total production across the continent fell by about 10% last year, and by 25% since its peak in 2004.

At the same time, production in the "new world" countries - the US, Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand - has been steadily rising.

"With tightening conditions in Europe, the major new world exporters stand to benefit most from increasing demand on global export markets."

The report says the French are still the world's largest consumers of wine (12%).

But it adds that the US (also 12%) is now only marginally second.

It also states that the US together with China - the world's fifth-largest market - are seen as "the main drivers of consumption globally".

(more…)

Alcohol content and grape variety two key factors in consumers’ wine choices

Wine Intelligence report in their recent 'UK Landscapes' report that the UK wine industry is seeing some interesting changes in how consumers choose their wines compared to two years ago.

Whilst wine plays an important part in more people's lives than in 2011, and consumers feel more confident in their knowledge of wine we no longer let price dictate our selection.   Whilst two years ago our choice was perhaps governed more by the supermarket promotional offers people are now more interested in the grape variety and the region the wine has come from along with what awards the wine may have won.

However, the biggest factor that has changed how we choose our wine is alcohol content.  More than 40% now consider this when purchasing wine compared to 20% two years ago.  Wine writers have been drawing consumers' attention to the alcohol content in wine for some time and now it seems this is having an effect.

Wine fraud costing Government as much as £700m

HM Revenue & Customs have estimated for the first time the wine tax gap and has found that illicit wine sales could account for as much as 11% of the market and be costing them as much as £700 million in tax revenue.

Trade bodies have welcomed these new figures saying they can now be used to help in the fight against illicit wine sales and strengthen sales for legitimate wine retailers.

Most wine fraud happens when criminals divert wine intended for sale in other European states into the UK market often selling wine at more than a £1 below the market price in an industry where margins are tight and this has devastating consequences for legitimate UK wholesalers and retailers.

Overall the alcohol tax gap could be almost £2 billion but at the mid point estimate it was closer to £1.2 billion with the beer illicit market share being 9% in 2011-12 with associated revenue losses of £550 million, wine was 6% with revenue losses of £350 million and spirits 3% with revenue losses of £120 million.

In recent years illicit sales in wine, beer and spirits have been declining from the high levels of 2007-8 which had an estimated mid point alcohol tax gap of £1.4 billion with a temporary increase in 2010-11 to over £1.6 billion.

The Chief Executive of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, James Bielby, told Off Licence News that: "Today's figures confirm what our members have known for some time, which is that the supply of wine in the UK is out of control. Criminal operators have been allowed to set up and thrive in direct competition with law-abiding wholesalers.

He added: "HMRC has previously said it cannot act on this issue without an official measure of the loss to the public purse. These new figures provide that measure, and we expect HMRC and the Border Force to take swift and effective action to put the rogue supply chain out of business, such as our proposal for a rigorous registration scheme for alcohol wholesalers."

Read about Oz Clarke exposing the so called half price deals in Supermarkets

At many of his tastings the Wine Guy is often asked about Supermarket half price deals.

Having once sold wine to a 'major' supermarket in a previous life, he is well placed to offer his opinion and warmly welcomes Oz Clarke's commentary on a recent episode of Watchdog.

Follow the link below to read all about the so called supermarket deals.

http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/independents-back-oz-clarkes-exposure-of-supermarket-half-price-wine-deals/350424.article

UK alcohol consumption falls to levels not previously seen in the 21st Century

UK alcohol consumption in 2012 fell to the lowest level this century, with the trend of declining alcohol consumption continuing.

There was a 3.3% fall in UK consumption per head in 2012, which the BBPA says supports Government decisions to pursue a partnership approach on alcohol. The BBPA believes that these figures, based on Treasury returns, demonstrates the comparative benefit of targeted, rather than broad, measures.   In 2012 8.0 litres of alcohol were consumed per head as opposed to 9.5 litres per head in 2004 which was the highest year recorded since 2000.

Whilst alcohol consumption is falling, there was still growth in the numbers of breweries with 1,113 operational in Britain by the end of 2012, with the number of larger breweries stable.

Other key facts about Britain's drinking habits to emerge in the new handbook are:

* Average price of draught lager £3.30 in 2013, draught bitter £2.87

* Increase of 165 breweries in 2012

* Despite 2013 Beer Duty cut it is still 61 per cent higher than in 2000

* Drunkeness offences fell 12% in England and Wales during 2012.

* Cask ale continued to increase its market share, despite a small fall (- 1.1 per cent) in overall volume.

* Beer is the only category with majority of sales made through the on-trade.

Red Wine and Blueberries could improve our immune system

Red wine and blueberries could protect the body against illness by boosting the immune system, according to a new study by researchers from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon University in the US.

Researchers carried out a laboratory study and analysed the effects of 446 different chemical compounds on the immune system and found two in particular which had a significant impact.

The two compounds are resveratrol, which is found in red grapes and is thought to have various beneficial effects on the body such as fighting cancer and lowering the risk of heart disease, and pterostilbene, found in blueberries, which are considered a superfood and have qualities such as lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease.

Individually the effect was marginal but when the two compounds were combined with vitamin D to increase the activity of a gene known as CAMP which helps boost the body's ability to defend against bacterial infection there was a significant increase.  The protein produced by this CAMP gene is, say the researchers, effective at killing a wide range of bacteria, and is produced by immune system cells and the cells that line the cavities and structures of the body.

Vitamin D has been linked to the function of the CAMP gene in the past but the new study suggests other compounds can also play a role, researchers reported in the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research journal.

As this research was carried out on cells and not on humans or rats further work will need to be done.  The study does not prove that consuming foods high in these compounds will boost the human immune system.

The first Wine Car Boot sale launched in London

The first Wine Car Boot sale launched today at London's Netil Market in Hackney.  If buying wine which has fallen off the back of a lorry springs to mind Wine Car Boot is a much more upmarket affair.

Seven of London' s leading independent wine shops including Borough Wines, Bottle Apostle, Planet of the Grapes, Roberson Wines, Wine Chap, Sweet Thursday and Noble Fine Liquer will each be sampling and selling their five favourite wines out of the back of their vans from noon to 6 pm.  Tickets are £15 which gives you your first 10 tastes. You can top up with more tasting tokens, buy whole glasses and bottles to drink in and take home, even place a big order to take home and stock up.

The event was the idea of Ruth Spivey, who has worked in the London restaurant scene - organisers are hoping that this will be a less formal setting than a supermarket in which to taste and buy wine.  The day also includes live music and street food stalls

If you didn't make it to this one Wine Car Boot is hoping to be popping up at other sites soon.

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