I love drinking wine and I love to eat so imagine my surprise and happiness when I saw a new book on the market called “The Red Wine Diet”. My affinity for wine and food has unfortunately had an undesirable consequence; I have a propensity to gain weight. The thought of a diet that would allow me to drink wine and lose weight sounded too good to be true. As with most things in life, it was. The book is about the health benefits of moderate wine consumption, not about losing weight.

The idea that wine is healthful has been around for centuries but came to the forefront of the media several years ago when “60 Minutes” ran a story about “The French Paradox.” The report highlighted the low rates of heart attacks in France despite the high fat diet. Population studies in Denmark and France dating back to the 1970s started a flow of evidence suggesting the health benefits of moderate wine consumption.  These studies showed that two to three glasses of wine a day protected the heart, even with a diet high in saturated fat.

The author of “The Red Wine Diet,” Roger Corder, Ph.D., a cardiovascular researcher, spent eight years investigating the health effects of red wine, traveling to the mountains of Sardinia to explore the secrets of Sardinian longevity. Sardinians consume a diet rich in meat, cheese, pasta and wine, very different than the classic Mediterranean diet of vegetables and whole grains. He concluded that red wine was a health-boosting factor.

Previous research has attributed the health effects to the anti-clotting effects of alcohol, to red wine’s antioxidant properties, and to resveratrol, a chemical in grapes thought to have antioxidant effects. Corder’s research suggests that an extract of red wine’s antioxidant chemicals called procyanidins may be doing the heavy protection work. They inhibit hardening of the arteries, which contributes to heart disease.

In his book, Corder lists procyanidin rich foods like red wine, cranberries, blueberries, pomegranates and dark chocolate. The red wines he recommends that have the highest levels of procyanidins are tannic wines. Tannin is an acid found in a red grape’s skin. Wines produced with a high extraction of tannin from the skins have the most procyanidins. Wine grapes grown at high altitudes also tend to have higher levels of procyanidins. Corder suggests up to three glasses of red wine a day for men and two for women.

Wine drinking can provide even more benefits than just a healthy heart. One study showed that resveratrol may inhibit tumor development in some cancers. Another study indicated that resveratrol aided in the formation of nerve cells, which experts believe may be beneficial in the treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

An Italian study found that both red and white wine impair the growth of bacteria associated with sore throats and tooth decay. A Harvard study showed that alcoholic drinks in general reduce the risk of cancer by 28%. Another Italian study found that a glass or two of wine per day may delay the start of dementia.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir have been shown to possess the most resveratrol and procyanidins. Below are several recommendations for these wines that are not just good for you, but taste great too!

Cabernet Sauvignon
Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($20)
A soft and elegant Napa Cabernet with lush chocolate and dark berry flavors.

Tudal Family Winery Clift Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 ($30)
This delicious Napa Cabernet is full of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and chocolate flavors leading to a long finish with structured tannins.

Wing Canyon Vineyard Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 ($50)
Grown on a Mount Veeder vineyard too steep for a tractor, this spectacular Napa Cabernet is jam packed with dark berry, cassis and vanilla all beautifully put together. The fine tannins are soft enough for current drinking and will allow the wine to age gracefully for years.

Eagles Trace Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 ($80)
This top of the line Cabernet is made by Gus Anderson of Anderson’s Conn Valley fame. Gus got bored in retirement and went back to his son at Conn Valley and took the best barrels for Eagles Trace. A gorgeous nose of smoke, cedar, crème de cassis, tobacco and leather lead to bold berry flavors and ripe, silky tannins. This spectacular wine is delicious now and will last for 20 more years.

Steve Hoff Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 ($26)
A brilliant Barossa Valley Cabernet  with beautiful blueberry, blackberry and cassis aromas and hints of licorice. Ripe, full bodied, rich and structured, this beauty can be drunk now and over the next 5 years.

Ferngrove Cabernet Sauvignon “Majestic” 2004 ($25)
From the Frankland River in Western Australia, this cool climate Cab is full of red and black currant flavors balanced by ripe tannins, all in an elegant balanced format.

Bleasdale Frank Potts 2003 ($27)
A blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Petite Verdot, this full bodied red from Langhorn Creek in South Australia is chocked full of licorice, black currants and blueberries. Full-bodied, rich and flavorful, this beauty is delicious now and will keep for a decade.

Syrah and Petite Sirah
Opolo Syrah 2004 ($25)
This Paso Robles Syrah is lush and extracted with red and black fruit flavors mixed with spicebox and jam. Sot, delicate tannins round out the finish. Delicious!

C.G. Di Arie Syrah 2004 ($30)
Produced in the sierra foothills of Amador County, this absolutely delicious Syrah is loaded with soft berry fruit layered on top of smoky meat, chocolate and spice. It is impeccably balanced with an incredible fat, lush mouthfeel. Truly outstanding!

Pacific Estates Petite Sirah 2003 ($18)
Wild berry, earth and spice mark the nose of this lovely Petite Sirah from Paso Robles. It is an elegant, balanced and soft wine perfect for sipping by it self or served with poultry or barbeque.

Vina Robles Petite Sirah 2004 ($28)
An amazingly rich and complex wine, very full bodied and flavorful. Extracted blackberry and spicy smoke aromas lead to ripe berry and vanilla flavors that lead into a complex finish rounded with ripe tannins.

Pinot Noir
Toluca Lane 2006 ($35)
I have raved about this delicious Pinot Noir for several years and the 2006 is the finest yet from this Oregon Winery that produces a miniscule 300 cases. Inky dark in color with the pure spicy Pinot Noir fruit that purists are always searching for. This highly extracted wine is complex and ripe leading to long and flavorful finish. Great Pinot at a great price!

Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Cristina Selection 2003 ($50)
This is a reserve bottling of the finest barrels of Marimar's Russian River fruit. This full-bodied Pinot is full of raspberries, cherries, dried herbs, earth and spice. It is full, soft and balanced. The fine tannins allow for current drinking but it will easily go another 5-8years.

Michel Martin Chorey-Les-Beaune 2005 ($25)
This lovely Burgundy is full of ripe berry fruit in a medium bodied style with a firm tannic finish. It is perfect for poultry or duck breast.