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As a wine company, we've heard all of the myths about the wine and its healthiness. Today, we woke up and decided today was the day to settle the truth once and for all—our goal: to share what we know about wine and whether it is healthy.
First, whether it's healthy to drink wine depends a lot on how much you're drinking. In the 1990s, many researchers began touting that red wine was a healthy elixir. The idea was known as the "French paradox." It was the observation that the French eat diets rich in saturated fat, drank lots of wine, and still had lower cardiovascular disease rates.
Researchers have since discovered that it is more than vino consumption that sets French people apart as time has gone on. And the red wine idea was replaced by a narrative that suggests drinking a small amount of alcohol was linked to modest health and heart benefits—the small amount: no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
In addition to how much you're drinking, we have discovered that it also depends on the type of alcohol, or wine, you are drinking. Yes, wine is more healthy when compared to beer, which is carb-heavy. And red wine is more beneficial than white wine or sparkling wine. But even so, not all red wines are created equal. Different cultivators of grapes contain different nutrients, and wines are prepared and produced in various ways. This, therefore, leads to some wines having more sugar than others and others having lower sugar content.
And if this all hasn't confused you enough, tack on the fact that wines don't come with nutritional labels. When you have a bottle of wine, you have no idea what its nutritional value is. Therefore, we took the time to do our research and share the healthiest red wines with you to make educated decisions on what you're going to sip on.
1. Bev
Finally! An opportunity to talk about ourselves! This is an arena where we truly thrive. Bev, oh hey, there that's us, has ZERO sugar!
Met our girls:
BEV ROSÉ: she's crisp, dry, and a Lil' fizzy with aromatics of fresh strawberry and raspberry, paired with a crisp white peach finish.
BEV BLANC: she's zippy and a Lil' fizzy with aromatics of crisp green apple, white nectarine, and a light, fresh, citrus finish.
BEV GRIS: she's bright and a Lil' fizzy with light and refreshing notes of elderflower, pear, and a zesty grapefruit finish.
BEV NOIR: she's edgy, dry, and a Lil' fizzy - a delicate, coastal pinot, with aromatics of citrus blossoms & fresh pomegranate, paired with a light blackberry finish.
Do it differently. Do it better. Shop delicious, dry wines crafted with love.
2. Pinot Noir
Overall, red wine is the healthiest wine you can drink because of the way red wine is made. When white wine is created, grapes are pressed, and seeds, skins, and stems are removed before fermentation. With red wine, the red grapes are transferred to vats directly, and they ferment with their seeds, skins, and stems. The grape skin gives the wine its color and is why red wine has a few more healthy compounds than white wine.
Grape skin contains beneficial antioxidants that are known to promote good health and wellness. In particular, polyphenol resveratrol is the main reason red wine gets its name with health benefits. Research suggests that resveratrol may be the key ingredient in red wine that can reduce harmful cholesterol levels, prevent damage to blood vessels, and create a lower risk of blood clots.
While red wine is the healthiest wine you can drink, Pinot Noir sneaks in as the number one healthiest kind of wine. Pinot Noir has the highest resveratrol concentration of any other red wine. Besides having the highest resveratrol levels, Pinot Noir also has lower sugar and calories than other wines. Although nearly all red wines contain no residual sugar, Pinot Noir has even less because it has a lower initial sugar level before fermentation. Therefore, Pinot Noir has fewer calories and lower alcohol content than other red wines.
3. Malbec
Right next to Pinot Noir sits Malbec when it comes to healthiest wines. Of all of the wine-grape varieties, malbec grapes have some of the thickest skins. What does that mean for nutritional value? It means Malbec is also loaded with resveratrol antioxidants.
In general, Malbecs contain four times the antioxidant content as other merlots and close to twice as much as cabernet sauvignons. This mainly has to do with their grape seed cultivation and its geography. Malbecs are grown in South America, namely Argentina and Chile, where the weather creates ideal temperature and moisture patterns. The result is incredibly dense soil with less sulfate which ultimately affects both Malbec's taste and healthiness.
4. Sauvignon Blanc
Yes, red wine has the upperhand in health benefits because of being created with the other parts of the grapes. However, white wine does have a few tricks up its sleeves and a few health benefits as well. White wine contains antioxidant properties that help prevent cancer, and some research indicates that it can also protect the heart from aging.
Calories in white wine is a predominant reason why they can be considered healthy. And besides the 129 calories you'll have in a serving of sweet white wine, a glass of Sauvignon blanc is full of antioxidants, thanks to phenolic compounds that improve your body's ability to fight oxidative stress.
5. Rosé
While rosé isn’t number one on this list, it is most definitely not the worst wine to drink. While Rosé is made with red grapes, it is made differently than other red wines. Therefore, it has fewer antioxidants because the juice isn’t with the grape skins for an extended period of time. However, you will still reap more health benefits.
6. Pinot Grigio
Another white wine, Pinot Grigio doesn’t have the healthy antioxidants that red wines have. However, it’s not the worst one out there. A still relatively dry wine, Pinot Grigio is not laden with sugar like the sweeter, white wines. Although not the best option on this list, it is most definitely not the worst wine out there. And to make it and even healthier option, grab Bev Gris, who, like we said, has zero sugar.
Avoid Sweet Wines
Sweet wines have two not so great things going for them: they’re loaded with sugar, and therefore carbs and also do not have the antioxidants that red wines have. Therefore, it’s best to avoid sweet wines like white Moscato or Rieslings or at least save them for special occasions!
Keep It in Moderation
We're no nutritionist, so don't just take it from us! According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than two drinks per day and women should limit wine consumption to one drink per day. Limiting alcoholic drinks is good for your blood pressure, good for your lifespan, and good for your health! What qualifies as a drink? Well, the average pour is close to six or more ounces when an alcoholic beverage is actually five-ounces. A five ounce serving glass of wine, depending on the wine variety, will give you approximately 129 calories.
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